Georgia 1999-2000 sport fishing regulations

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRESHWATER SECTION
Agreements with Bordering States ................ 9-10 Angler Award Program .....................................:.26 Boating & Motor Restrictions ..........................-.... 32 Buying Licenses ................................................... 5 Commercial Fishing ........................................... 33 Creel & Possession Limits ................................... 6 Definitions ..................................................... 4, 27 Guidelines for Eating Fish ............................ 22-25 Finding a Place to Fish ....................................... 16
Fish Identification ..................... 20-21, Back Cover
Fish Kill Beporting .............................................. 1'1
Fish Offices & PFAs ..................._....................... 16 Free Fishing Days ....................................:......... 11 . Handling & Releasing Fish ................................... 7 Length Limits .... :................................................... 7

License Requirements ........:,.,.:.:...... :..................,5 Protected Species ............... :, .....'.,..:.:..:.:...:..:...._.,. 8 Public Fishing Areas ..... .-........~ .......~... '.'. ...'..,.,.:-18.-19 Sale of Fish .............................:::.':.;:;::._....:.:.:, .. :.,11 Seasons ....................................:,. :..._, .....:...._... ,..,.. ,4 Sport Fishing & Alternate Fishing M~thoqs ,.. ;.' ..:.. 8 State Record Fish ...........:.. .-....... ,:.:...:.....:::. 26; ~1
Stocking Fish ...................':.........:.:.........:::.'.. !::::.33.
Trout Fishing ................................................ 12-15
SALTWATER SECTION
Crabs ..................................................:..........-...... 30 Deflating Your Fish ........................:....................33 . Finfish ................................................................ 28 Measuring Saltwater Finfish ............................... 28 . Shellfish ...........................,.................................. 30 Sport Bait Shrimping .......................................... 29

1999-2000FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS
Roy Barnes, Governor Lonice C. Barrett, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources . David Waller, Director~ Wildlife Resources Division Duane Harris, Director - Coastal Resources Division

INTRODUCTION

The Wildlife Resources Division designed this guide to help you quickly find and understand regulations for fishing

in Georgia. Fishing regulations are set by the Board of Natural Resources acting on the recommendations of DNR's

fishery biologists and other field personnel. Laws are set by the General Assembly. The Game and Fish Code and

Department of Natural Resources rules are the final authority on questions of law. Recent law changes are in light blue.

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BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Thomas W. Wheeler, Jr., - Chair Sarah S. Clark_ Vice Chair Jamie Reynolds - Secretary
Joe E. Beverly James E. Butler, Jr.
Donald J. Carter J.D. Caswell Bill M. Gilbe_rt
James B. Langford, Jr. Walter McNeely Ben G. Porter
Ben Seay, Ill Glenn E. Taylor Reese Thompson

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OFFICES, PUBLIC FISHING
AREAS & HATCHERIES
See page 16 for telephone numbers.
.MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Brunswick ..... .-............ 912/264-7218
COVER PHOTO - PASS ON THE TRADITION! Todd Holbrook. and daughter Sara, share a memorable day of fishing together. Photo courtesy of Les Ager.

1999-2000 RECREATIONAL

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES
Boating Safety ............... 770/918-6408 Albany ........................... 912/430-4252 Brunswick ...................... 912/264-7237 Calhoun ......................... 770/769-9680 Calhoun ......... :............... 706/624-1367 Gainesville ....:................ 770/535-5499 Macon ........:........... :....... 912/751-6415 Manchester .........,.......... 706/846-8448 Manchester(Columbus) ... 706/649-7_438 Metter ............................ 912/685-2145 Social Circle ................... 770/918-6414 Social Circle ................... 706/557-3034 Thomson ....................... 706/595-4211 Thomson (Augusta) ....... 706/737-1480

FISHING LICENSE FEES

-

License Year: April 1, 1999-March 31, 2000

LIFETIME LICENSE-

RESIDENT LICENSES:

NONRESIDENT LICENSES:

Sportsman's ..................... $60.00 Season Fishing ................. $24.00

0Finseh-inDga.y...F...1.s...h..m...g................'........................

9.00 3 .5 0

One-Day F.1sh.mg .. .. .. ..... ...... . 3.50

Trout ..................................... 5.00 7-0ay Fishing .....:.....,........... 7.00

Combination Hunting

,

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and F.ISh.In g ........ ,.............. 17.00 Trout ..........'............ .':~.......... 13.00

Wildlife Manageinef'\t Area .. 1~.00 . V\fildlife Ma~a~e~ent':Afea.... 73.00

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Lifetime licenses are new and available for sportsmen and women of all ages! Infant (under 2 yrs) $200; Youth (2-15 yrs) $350; Adult (16-65 yrs) $500; Senior (65+) no charge. Call the Wildlife Resources Division for more details_.

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wi Id/

Page 3

Definitions

Artificial lure - any lure which is or killing fish, mssels and all.Seafood nated as game fish under Creel &

f.

made completely of natural or colored and includes all lesser acts iuch as Possession Limits. (page 6) . wood,. cork, .feathers, hair, rubber, attempting to catch; captu:re, or kill by Public Fishing Area - designated

metal, plastic, tinsel, styrofoani, any device or method and directly areas owned and/or operated by.the.

sponge, orstring, or any combination assisting any person 'in catqhing or Dept. of Natural-Resources, Wildlife

of.SUGh materials, in imitation of or as attempting to catch fish or s~afood. Resources Division, _Fisheries Sec-

a substitute for natural bait. This.does Game fish - fish that are listecj under tion for the primary purpose of. fishing

not include any item sprayed with or Creel & Possession Limits. .(p~ge 6) and are open to the public. These are

containing scented or chem_ical Immediate Family-all pe.rscins living listed on pages 18~19.



.

attractants..

in one household under one head of Resident O any c_itizen of the Uniteq,

Creel limit' - means :the number of household and bearing a blood or States who has maintained a legal

fish that may be taken, caught, or deper:ident relations~ip to the head of residence in Georgi~ for a period of at

killed during a specified period.

household.

'

least three morths prior to purchas-:

Fishing - catching; capturing, taking, Non-game fish -.any fish not desig- ing a .fi.shing license. .. _ ..

TURN IN POACHERS .and POLLUTERS

1~soo-24I-411a (7 days/week, 24 hours/day)

-Oon1 allow the actions of a few out-

laws tarnish the reputation of Geor-

gia's sports_rnen and women. Turn in

poachers and polluters to protect the

future of fishing and hunting.

.

When reporting, try .to get as muc~ information .as possible: What oc: cured; Where it occurred; Who was . involved (describe persons (names if known) vehicles (license numbers

are .crucipl); names of witnesses);

and When it occurred.



Rewards .are p~id if an .

-. arrest is made.

Seasons

There is no closed season for fishing in streams, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds

in Georgia except.tor the following:





Trout streams thafare.d~signated as seasonal trout streams are OPEN'to fishing for any species frorn MARCH 27 - OCTOBER 31, 1999. Seasonal trout streams are clos~d-_to fishing for all fish species at all qther times: .

The season for taking striped bass and hybrid white-striped bass from:t~e

Savannah, River and its tributaries downstream of New Savannah Bluff

Lock and Dam is _close_d>., : ,





The Flint River and its tributaries from the Georgia Power Co.: dams 'at

Albany to the U.S. Hwy. 84 bridge; the .'Chattahoochee River and its

tributaries from the Columbia Lock & Dam to the Ga. Hwy. 91 bridge; and

. Spring Creek and its tributaries downstream to Ga. Hwy:253 are closed to

striped bass fishing and spear fishing from May 1-0ctober 31.



All fishing, including spear fishing, for any species in the. marked areas

around five fish refuges in Lake Seminole and in three fish refuges in Lake '

, Blackshear is pr?hibited ~ro~ May 1 - October 31;



. New Look for:Lice.nses in 1999 .

.

. When you purchase your fishing and hunting license thi~ year,

. 9 don't be surprised if they .look a little different. Georgia ha~ -switched

GA DNR TEST ONLY! 01999212041sss1sie1s

to a:n electronic licensing system which will make buying licenses

DOB:11/11/1966 ' .

easier than ever.

.





.

HUNTER EDU AFFIRMED



DL:123456

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What does this mean to you?

,

..

.LICENSE YEAR END: 03/31/2000

*All license agents can sell any type of hunting and/or fish_ ing

001 005

RReessCToromutbo(H/F)

517.000 0

. license instantly.

_

,. . .

,

*Your license (including deer harvest records) can't be destroyed as - - - - - - -

_.easily because it will printed on a flexible, durable, water proof material. m, siGN. L.

*If you lose your license, it can be replaced more easili. .

ADD

ii ~ l < ' ! : ! i . J . . . . . L ~ ~ -

. *DNR can, conduct more specific surveys that



will improve fish and wildlife management in Georgi?.

.

-~~,N c=1r=y~jr--':-:-::--r.-cc-:c::--~

Best of all, the new licensing system allows you to purchase your

COMPLETE ALL BLANKS I NK

license in less time than ever before - meaning that you'll have -

.

. .

more time to. spend at your favorite fishing hole waiting for ~he fish to bite! For more information on.the

new

licensing

system,

contact

your

n

e

ares

t .

WRD

.

Fisheries
. ~

Management
'

Office. .

Page ,4 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division &. Coastal Resources Division

License Requirements

See p~J}e 3 for a listing of license fees. .

YOU CAN NOW BUY A FISHING LICENSE THREE WAYS: .

For Licenses & Boat

1,200 license dealers statewide

Registration:

(WAD offices, major retailers, sport-

ing goods, bait & tackle, marinas,

and hardware stores)



Telephone 1-800-748-6887

Internet www.permit.com

All licenses may be purchased by . mail from the Department of Natural

Resources, License Unit, 2189 Northlake Parkway, Suite 108, Bldg. 10,

Tucker, Georgia 30084. Orders by

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/
Anglers, boaters, and hunters are now able to purchase fishing and hunting licenses and renew boat registrations through the Internet. Licenses are available on.the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlif_e Resources Division's world wide web site.

mail must include the applicant's from any of these agencies please

name, address, date of birth, weight contact the License Unit.

and height with the proper payment. Persons that are blind can apply for a

RESIDENTS: NOTE: Proof of residence, such as a

lifetimeHonoraryFishinglicenseand
must provide a Physician's certification of blindness with the application.

license. A current and valid military I.D. must be shown when purchasing a resident fishing license. Any violation of Georgia fishing laws or regulations can cause revocation of license.
.TROUT LICENSE
All resident anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must have a trout license and .a valid Georgia fishing license to fish in designated troutwaters and to fish for or to possess
. trout. Resident Senior (65+) lifetime and
honorary license holders. are not required to have a trout license. Landowners and their immediate families may fish on their premises . without a trout license.

Georgia driver's license, is required .when purchasing a fishing license. Resident anglers, 16 years of age
or older, are required to have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing (freshwater & saltwater) in Georgia, EXCEPT: a fishing license is not re-

NOTE: Georgia DNR has signed "Reciprocal Agreements" with Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina that allow holders of Georgia fishing licenses to fish in the waters covered without obtaining a fishing license from the bordering state. See Reciprocal Agreements on pages 9-10_.

All nonresident anglers, regardless of age or physical condition, must possess a nonresident fishing Iicenseand11onresidenttroutlicense to fish tor or possess trout or to fish in designated trout waters.
Florida residents, regardless of age, must possess a nonresident trout

quired when !ishing in a private

NONRESIDENTS:

license to fish for or possess trout

pond(doesnot1ncl~depondsowned . Nonresidents 16 years of age or bygovernments-c1ty,county,state, older, regardless of physical condior federal) nor by a landowner and tion must have a valid nonresident their in:imedia!e family when fishing Ge~rgia fishing license to fish in Geor-

ortofishindesignatedtroutwaters. STATE PARK VISITORS are not
required to have a trout license to fish in the impounded waters of the park.

on their premises. Residents 65 years of age or older
possessing a Senior (65+) Lifetime License may fish without obtaining . any other licenses (trout or WMA).

gia, EXCEPT: a fishing license is not

PUBLIC FISHING AREAS

required when fishing in a private See page 18 for license requirements

pond. This does not include ponds to fish on a PFA.
owned by governments (city, county, ..-~L-o_s_t_,Vi_,o_u_r__L_i_c_e_n_s_e..,?~..

Federal or the State of Georgia).

This license can be obtained from Nonresidents under 16 years of age most license dealers by furnishing do not require. a fishing license: proof of age (driver's license, birth except to fish in trout streams or to certificate, voter registration card, fishfororpossesstrout(seeTROUT automobile registration, student ID, LICENSE).
military ID). Residents that are per- Florida residents 65 years of age or

If you bought your license over the internet, you can replace it by printing out another if you bookmarked your original. If you bought your Iicense by telephone,.call 1-888-7486887 for information on replacement.

manently and totally disabled rriay obtain a Disability Honorary Combination Hunting and F'1sh'ing License by applying to the License Unit (see address under Buying Licenses). Proof of age or disability must ac-
company the application. Certifica-

older-see Reciprocal Agreement
with Florida on page 1O.
college students (US cItIzens) en-
rolled full-time who are residing within the state may purchase a resident fishing license. A current and valid student identific~tion mu~t be

If you bought your license at a license dealer, obtain a "Request for lRiceepnlsaecemdeeanlet/rReafnudndm" afoilrmto ftrhoemLiacense Unit (address above). There is a $S replacement fee for each form submitted,. regardless of the
number of licenses to be replaced.

tion of disability may come from the ~ho'.Nn ~hen purchasing a resident U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Social fishing license. Security Admin. Railroad Retirement Military persons on active status sta-

To fish immediately, you must pur-. chase a new license and request a refund for the second license by

Systemoranothergovemmentagency. It unable to obtain certification

tioned ~t_a milit1:1ry bas~ in Georgia submitting a "Request for Replaceand their immediate family members ment/Refund" form. may purchase a resident fishing

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www .ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 5

Game Species Daily Creel & Possession Limits

It is unlawful to take in one day or to CATFISH ......................... No .Limit

- EXCEPTIONS:

possess at any one time, except at Channel and/or Flathead

BREAM: see South Carolina Recip- .

one's place of abode or at a com- CRAPPIE ...................;................ 30 rocal Agreement on page 9;

;' mercial storage facility, more than Black and/or White

STRIPED BASS, WHITE BASS and/

: tliErdaily creel limit for each species PICKEREL ..........;.....;....:........... 15 or HYBRID WHITE-STRIPED BASS:

'-, odo possess more than a total of Chain, Grass and/or R~dfin

Limit taken from the North Newport

.!:,O 'fndividuals of all the game fish SAUGER ....~.:........................~....... 8 River, Medway River including.

a ~ listed in this section, except chan-. SHAD ...........................'........'........

Mount Hope Creek, Little Ogeechee

. 11el,~nq r1athead ,catfish..

American and/or Hickory . .

River, Ogeechee, F,Uver, Oconee

Once th~ daily creel limit for a partic- STRIPED BASS, WHITE BASS

ular species is taken, it is unlawful to and/or HYBRID WHITE-STRIPED

.continue to fish-for that species. BASS (see Note & Exceptions) 15

Difference: Creel & possession limits .d!ff!ron_certain waters shared by Georgia and _South Carolina. See Reciprocal

Onlytwoofwhichcan.be22in~tiesor long~r (there i~ no length restriction in waters covered in South Carolina reciprocal agreement)

Agreements S~ction (pages 9~10).

SIJNFISH or BREAM ,

River downstream ofGa. Hwy 22 in
MiJledgeville,. Ocmulgee. River . downstream of th.e Ga. Hwy 96 bridge betw'een Houston & T,w.iggs
counties, Altamaha F,liver, Satilla . River, and the tributaries to thes'e river sections; and from saltwater is a two fish limit. both must be 22

See page 18 of this publication for (see exception) ....................... 50 inches in iength or longer..-

special creel limits on Public Fish- Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear, See South Carolina Reciprocal

. ing Area lakes..

Rock bass; Spotted, Warmouth and/ Agreement on page 9.. . ,: . ,

~ Note: The sea:;on for taking st~iped r' bass and hybrid white-striped bass
. from the Savannah River and its
_ tributaries downstream of New Sa. . vann'ah Bluff Lockand Dam is closed.

or Shadow bass .

.

.TROUT: See Smithgall Woods, Smith

TROUT (see exception) .............. a. Creek, and Waters Creek on pg. 15.

Brook, Rainbow, and/or Brown trout WALLEYE:- Limit _Or). Blue Ridge

WALLEYE (see ~xception) ......... 8 Reservoir is 15.

,

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,

,------",,.....----"---,..----------.

BASS .....................:..~~:....10

, ..L~rgem~uth, _Redeye (Coosa),

Shoal, Smallmi:>uth, Spotted

(Kentucky), an_d!or Suwanee _bass

.,..;._.., ______ , COUPON --- -------

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I .

FREE LINE--

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Rod & Reel Combo

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Coupon .Must Be Presented at Tim~ '!'' Purchase

I Call eee~L00K'4 T!;IA

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(1-888~566~5487) . ;,

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Far Location Nearest Yau!

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Hartwell Project P.O. Box278
Hartwell, GA 30643--0278

I

706-856-0~00 * 1-888-893-0678

I

'

... ,:

,

Richard B. Russell Project '

I

4144 Russell Dam Drive

Elberton,' GA 30635-9271

706-213-3400 * ' 1-800-944~7207

,....~~-.....~..... -~--- There's No Better

J. Strom Thurmond Project

Place For Fishing

Rt. 1, Box 12 Clarks Hili. SC 298219701

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~quipment.!

864-333~1100 * . 1-800-533-3478

http://www.sas.usace.army.mil

Page 6 l-888-748-6887 for lic~nses

Recent Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources. Division

Length Limits

There are no minimum length limits on game fish unless listed below:

.

Largemouth bass 12 inches state- West Point Reservoir-16 inches er, Medway River including Mount

wide except:

Public Fishing Area lakes operated Hope Creek, Little Ogeechee River,

Lake Black~hear-14 inches . Lake Blue Ridge-no mIrnrnum (0 in.) Lake Bu~on-no mi~i~um (0 i~.)

by the Department of Natural Re- Ogeechee River; Oco~ee ~iverdo~n~ sources-14 inches. This limit will stream of Ga. Hwy 22 in Milledgeville; not apply to lakes which have been Ocmulgee _River downstream of Ga.

, Lake Jultette-no mmImum (0 1n.) Lake Lanier-14 inches

posted as having a different length Hwy 96 bridge between Houston &

limit for.largemouth bass.

Twiggscounties;AltamahaRiver;Sa-

Lake Oconee-bass between 6 and 11 inches and greater than 14 inch-
es can be kept. All others must be released immediately. Ocmulgee River from the Spring

ShLoaakIebLaasnsie.. r- 14 inches Flint River and its tributaries-12 inches
Spotted bass: Lake Lanier-14 inches

tilla River, and the tributaries to these river sections; and from saltwater.
Trout - No minimum length limit for trout other than: Waters Creek-brown and rainbow

Street bridge crossing in Macon Striped bass, White bass, Hybrid trout-22 inches; brook trout-18 inch-

. downstream to the confluence of white-striped bass-You may only es

the Ocmulgee River and the Oconee keep two fish that are 22 inches or . Noontootla Creek and its tributaries

River-14 inches.

longer, except the minimum length is on Blue Ridge WMA-16 inches for

Lake Walter F. George-16 inches 22 inches on the North Newport Riv- all trout

How to Measure a Freshwater Fish
1:Place the fish on its side with the jaw closed ' 2.Squeeze the tail fin lobes together 3. Measure in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the
extreme tip of the tail 4.You must release all fish shorter than the minimum length
indicated for that species.

Handling and Releasing A Fish

Often it is necessary to release a fish because it is too small to keep, illegal to keep, under the length limit, not a species you are targeting or one you do not wish to take home to eat. In these cases, releasing fish unharmed is a conservation measure which contributes to fish populations, rather than decreasing them. But good intentions are not enough, because improper care before releasing a fish can re. duce its chances of survival. With a little care and by following these sim. pie guidelines, you can give released fish a better chance of survival.
Play and release the fish as rapidly as possible. The shorter the time the fish is played, dehooked and released, the better its chance_ of survival.

Whenever possible, do not take the fish out of the water.
Handle the fish gently with bare, wet hands. Do not squeeze the fish, put your fingers in the eyes or gills or cause scale loss.
Remove the hook as quickly as possible using rieedlenose pliers. If the fish is hooked in the stomach or throat, cut the line and leave the hook. The hook will dissolve without harming the fish .
Wet your measuring board before measuring the fish.
Hold the fish in an upright position and move it gently back and forth so water runs over the gills. This will aid in the fish's revival. Face the

fish upstream -when in a current. Release the fish when it begins to struggle and is able to swim.
Do not hold a fish in a live well and later decide to release it.

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www .ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 7

Sport Fishing Methods

There is no restriction on the num- Seines, nets and chemicals may be agree and a two hour notice is given

ber of poles and lines to fish for used in a private pond if all owners to the local Conservation Ranger..

game fish except: fishing for trout -

one pole; fishing on Public Fishing Areas - two poles; and sport shad fishing - two poles.
Dip nets and cast nets may be used to take threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and blueback herring for bait.

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO:
Use live qlueback herring for bait or possess live blueback herring in all freshwaters except the following: Lake Nottely; Lake Chatuge; the Altamaha River watershed downstream of the following: Juliette dam on the Ocmulgee River, Lake Juliette dam on Rum Creek, Lake Tobesofkee dam on_. Tobesofkee Creek, Lake Sinclair dam on the Oconee River; and watersheds

Landing nets may be used to land

of all other streams that flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean'.



fish legally caught. .

Fish for game fish, except american shad, hickory shad, chann.al

1

Anglers using more than two poles . catfish, or flathead catfish, by any means other than pole and line.

and lines to fish for shad must abide Take any fish from freshwater by any method other than pole and line,

by commercial shad regulations.

set hooks, jugs, and "Sport Trotlines, Spear Fishing, fylinnow Seines,

Bow riets are considered sport shad

and Bow Fishing" according to below.

.

fishing gear and shall have a mini- Use electronic devices, explosives, poisons, or firearms to.take fish.

mum legal size of 3 inches Snag any fish.

stretched mesh.

Alternate Fishing Methods

SPORT TROTLINES

cured to the weapon or the person Arrows with poisonous or exploding

The following may be taken using using the weapon.

heads are illegal.

sport trotlines: .catfish and nongame NOTE: SEE SECTION ON SEASONS Arrows cannot be discharged into the

.fish (year-round) and American and/or

water closer than 150 feet to anyone

Hickory shad during shad season only. "Sport trotline" is one line or a combination of lines using less than 51 hooks. Sport trotlines must be marked with the owner's name and address and with

MINNOW SEINES Nongame fish, except American eels and protected species, may be taken using a minnow seine when the fish are five (5) inches or less in

engaged in another type of recreation. Legal hours for fishing with bow and arrow are from sunrise to sunset,.except nongame fish may be taken any time during the day and at night while

visible buoys and must be submerged length and are not to be sold or using a light in the impounded waters

at least three (3) feet below the surface otherwise used for commercial pur- of reservoirs over 500 acres in size.

of the water. Sport trotlines must be poses.

Any game fish with an open wound

attended regular1y and removed after All game fish and American eels found in.the possession of a person

the completed fishing trip. Unmarked or taken in minnow seines must be . fishing with bow and arrow will be

unattended trotlines will be confiscated released immediately and unharmed used as evidence of taking and pos-

by .personnel of the Department. - It is unlawful to use any sport trotline within one-half mile below aily lock or dam on any of-the freshwaters of Georgia.
SPEAR FISHING Only nongame fish may be speared in freshwater and are not to be sold or. used for commercial purposes. It is illegal to spear game fish and all species of catfish. Possession of a sport fishing license is required to spear fish in freshwater. The person engaged in the act of spearing must be completely submerged. "Spearing" is the use of a handheld spear or similar device and the use of a weapon, other than a firearm, which propels a projectile to which a wire, rope, line, or other means of recovering the projectile is attached and se-

into the waters from which they were sessing fish illegally.

taken.

A minnow seine must be less than 20

feet in length and have a square mesh

of 3/8 inches or less or in diameter if .PROTECTED SPECIES

the mesh is not square.



Georgia is hometomanyrareaquatic

Minnow seines may not be used in species that are protected by either

designated trout waters.

Federal or State law. There are

BOW FISHING

currently 55 fish, 7 salamanders, 14

Nongame fish only may be taken by mussels, and 13 turtles on the state

bow.and arrow from freshwater un- protected species list. Ad_ditionally,

der the following conditions:

all nonvenomous snakes are pro-

Each person using a bow and arrow tected. Many of these species may

must have on their person a valid be encountered while fishing. It is

fishing license. Arrows must be equipped with barbs or contain devices on the point to act as a harpoon for recovering fish and must be attached to the person or bow by a rope, line; or cord sufficient for recovering the arrow & nongame fish.

unlawful to capture, kill,orsellanyof these protected species. For more information please contact Nongame/Natural Heritage Section, 2117 US Hwy 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025 (770) 918-6411 or www .ganet.org/dnr/wilc:1/

Page 8 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recem Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Reciprocal Agreements with Bordering States

"Reciprocal Agreements" with bordering states allow holders of Georgia fishing licenses to fish in the waters covered

without obtaining a fishing license from the bordering state. Regulations under these agreements may differ from

Georgia's general laws and regulations. If this is the case, the laws and regulations of the reciprocal agreement

explained in this section are to be followed.



I

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT WITH ALABAMA

Waters Covered:
The banks and waters of only that portion of the Chattahoochee River . forming the boundary between Georgia and Alabama and Lakes Bartletts Ferry' (Harding), George W. Andrews, Goat Rock, Oliver, Seminole, Walter F. George (Eufaula) and West Point; however, this agreement does not include that portion of West Point Reservoir lying upstream (north) of Georgia Hwy. 109 bridge on the Chattahoochee River arm of the reservoir.

The waters covered by this agreement do not include other streams or tributaries which flow into the Chattahoochee River or its impoundments or the portion of Lake Seminole covered by the reciprocal agreement with Florida or Lake Weiss.
Creel and Possesion Limits:
All creel and possession limits on waters covered by this agreement are the same as Georgia's statewide limits.

Length Limits:

Largemouth bass less than 16 inches in length mus~ be released immediately in West-Point and Walter F. George reservoirs.

All other fishing laws and regulations of the State of Georgia apply in Georgia waters covered by this agreement.

Licenses:

.

All persons meeting the sport fish-

ing requirements of Georgia or Ala-

bama may fish on the banks and

waters covered without having to

obtain any other license. _

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH CAROLINA

This agreement does not c\PPIY to saltwater sport fishing or freshwater and saltwater commercial fishing.
A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required when fishing from a boat on the SC side of the Savannah River downstream of where the CSX Railroad trestle crosses the Back River.
Any person using baskets, _minnow seines, or trot lines in the waters covered must comply with the laws, rules and regulations of the state in which the baskets, minnow seines, or trot lines are fished, regardless of their residence.
No person may carry to either state or possess in such state more fish than the laws of that state or those of this agreement permit, even though the fish were caught in the
. waters of the other state. Waters covered: On the banks and in the waters of
all channels of the Savannah River from its mouth to the junction of the Tugaloo (Toogaloo) and Seneca Rivers; the Tugaloo River from its mouth tcftfie junction of the Tugaloo and Chattooga Rivers; and the Chattooga River to the North Carolina

state line (35th parallel of North shorter than 12 inches in length

latitude at Ellicott's Rock). This must be released immediately.

agreement also applies to all the No person may have a rifle in their

waters and banks of Clarks Hill possession or in a boat on South_ Reseryoir (Strom Thurmond), Ri~ Carolina waters.

chard B. Russell Reservoir, Hartwell All other fishing laws and regula- Reservoir, Yonah Lake, Tugaloo tions of the State of Georgia apply (Toogaloo) Lake, the New Savan- in the Georgia portion of the waters

nah Bluff Lock and Dam (see covered by this agreement.

NOTE), and Stevens Creek Lake Creel and Possession Limits: (exceptthat portion on the Stevens Creek arm upstream of South Caro- Limits for taking fish from the waters

lina Hwy 53). The agreement does covered by this agreement are: .

not apply to any flowing portions of Largemouth bass, Spotted bass,

tributary streams to these impound- and/or Redeye (Coosa) bass ...... 10

ments nor to tributary streams of Trout .............................................. 8

the Savannah, Tugaloo and Chat- Bream (all species) ..................... 30

tooga Rivers.

Walleye ......................................... 8

Licenses:

Sauger .......................................-.... 8

All persons meeting the freshwater Crappie (Black and/or White).:.... 30

license requirements of Georgia or White bass .................................. 30

South Carolina may fish on the Striped bass and/or

banks and waters covered without Hybrid white-striped bass ............ 10

having to obtain any other license. It is unlawful to possess a total of

Length Limit:

more than forty (40) of all species

There is no length limit tor striped listed above.

bass and hyb_rid bass taken from the NOTE: The season for taking striped waters covered by this agreement. bass and hybrid white-striped bass

Largemouth bass caught in the from the Savannah River and its tribGeorgia portion of the waters cov- utaries downstream of New Savanered by this agreement that are nah Bluff Lock and Dam is closed.

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Re.cent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 9

Waters covered
0 The waters and the banks of the St. Marys River, not including its tributaries.
0 The waters and banks of Lake Semi; nole, bounded on the west by Florida
State Road No. 271; on the south by the Jim Woodruff Dam; on the east by the line immediately east of the Chattahoochee Marina (also known as the Booster Club) running northwest across the reservoir to the tip of land at the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, west of Spring Creek; and on the north by the Herman Talmadge Bridge . across the Chattahoochee River.
Creel and Possession Limits:
0 Georgia's statewide creel and possession limits (page 6) apply for the waters

covered (of the St. Marys River and Lake Seminole).
0 All other fishing laws and regulations of the State of Georgia apply on the Geor.gia side of the St. Marys River (freshwater and saltwater) and the Georgia portion of Lake Seminole. Florida laws and regulations apply' when on the Florida side of the St. Marys River (freshwater and saltwater) and the Florida portion of Lake Seminole.
Licenses 0 Any person who has a valid fishing
license and properly issued permits or licenses, or both, required by Georgia br Florida in their possession may sport fish for freshwater fish in the waters covered.

0 A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish for or to possess saltwater fish on the Florida side of the St. Marys River.

Senior Citizens

0 Georgia Senior (65+) Lifetime License

holders may fish in the freshwaters in

Florida without charge,

0 A Florida saltwater fishing license is

required to fish for or to possess salt-

water fish on the Florida side of the ,St.

Marys River.

.

0 Florida residents more than 65 years

of age (proof of age required) may fish

anywhere in Georgia without charge,

but a nonresident trout license is re-

quired to fish in designated trout wa-

ters and to fish for or possess moun-

tain trout.



IRllEC~IP'IR!OCAL AGIR!IEIEMllENT W~TIHI NOIR!VIHI CAIR!OUNA

The reciprocal agreement with North Carolina applies to reciprqcity of fishing licenses on Lake Chatuge only.
Waters covered:
Chatuge Reservoir and all tributary
branches lying in Georgia or North Carolina which are accessible by boat from the main body of the reservoir.

Licenses:
0 Holders of a valid Georgia or North Carolina fishing license may fish with hook and line in Lake Chatuge only from boats not anchored to the shore or to a pier or boat dock connecting to .the shore.
0 Senior citizen and juvenile license ex-

emptions auth_orized by either state are honored by bot_h states on Lake Chatuge.
0 All other laws and regulations of Georgia apply to the Georgia portion of Lake Chatuge. All other laws and regulations of North Carolina apply to the N_orth Carolina portion of Lake Chatuge.

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Page IO 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Rcccm Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

'' 'J

Sale of Fish

REPORT FISH KILLS

GAME FISH

and resold provided each person Help protect our valuable fish

Except for the following, it is unlawful in possession of said game fish resources. Report fish kills as

for any person to sell or purchase any has an authentic bill of sale or quickly as possible. CALL TOLL

game fish.

lading which details the source of FREE 1-800-241-4113 (24 hrs a

Gamefishmaybesoldbycommercial the fish and the species, number. day, seven days a week).

fish hatcheries, wholesale fish and pounds of the fish. dealers,retailfishdealersandprivate American shad, hickory shad,


NOTE TAGGED FISH

pond owners (see following channelcatfish,andflatheadcatfish The Department of Natural

paragraph) who conform to the Game taken while commercial fishing may Resources (DNR) periodically

and Fish Code.

be sold as described in the Game

Game fish from a pond may be and Fish Code. Contact the nearest tags fish for research purposes.

sold when the owner of the pond ' Fisheries Office for information on Anglers who catch tagged fish

has obtained a valid permit from commercial freshwater fi~hing.

are encouraged to return the tag

the DNR Law Enforcement Sec-

to DNR. A reward is usually

tion and the permit is displayed in DOMESTIC FISH

offered for each tag returned.

a prominent place at the pond. A Aquaculturists (fish farmers) must In past years, some individuals

permit may be issued to the pond register with the Department of Natu- have placed their own personal
owner only once annually and lim- ral Resources in order to sell domesits the time for taking fish from the tic fish. Domestic fish are lawfully tags on fish which were then

pond to 15 days unless an exten- obtained farmed fish which are held in released. This activity has creat-

sion is granted by the DNR. In confinementinprivateponds,butonly edconfusionamonganglersover

order to transport game fish taken if they are fish species which are the purpose for the tagging and

from the pond, the fish must be either indigenous to Georgia or have the organization responsible for

packaged and laQeled with the been recognized prior to 1Q92as hav- it. Tagging by an inexperienced .

permit number and the number ing an established population in Geor- person can result in the needless

and pounds of each species con- gia waters other than private ponds. tained in the package. Fish must The White Perch is not recognized as

death of the fish. For these rea-

remain so packaged until pro- a domestic fish. Persons in posses- sons, the Department of Natural

::\ ~e~l?ed._ to~: c9_ns~_mption ,_or r'~~- .si~n of. dorres\ic ~ish from_-r,~gistere_d ,- ~~s~~r~e~ _urg~~. ~ng,ler~ nqt -~~ -:.

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leas~d mt<;> another, pond, ,Apph-.
q~!i?\1 t~~,~~-r~J~ss,~0:419-Jie ry,ade'

aquacultunsts
\ti~:bi}J;of~~I~ <?!

must,hav,e an,.auth~n7 Iaqi~'g_:w.._hich;id~Qt.\fie$/

tag ., .

fish

In

puQhcwaters,

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fl':?-~t~}~~~P9P.~?~J9,_b_e...~rc1.1~~9,:~i:,:{:/~~-'~a~.!-,~~9.,9! t~e'...f~l,I<;>.VJ!ng t9r: e~c!J :, (

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eorgia s .,_,orest tewardsh{pPf~gtq,p ::-:

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Georgi'a Forestry Cc:imm1~sion''or ;

'.: ~~f .Does not include fees at private

Georgia Department of Naturai ',, ".:

' ':i lakes .

__,....~-

Resources Office or ~ail: ,.

,:,-.,. No WMA license required to fish

....

'. ' 0,}onaPublicFishingAreaorWaters Creek trophy trout stream

1-800-GATREES

:~ All ottier Fishing_ R~gulations

: apply,:::_ '

'I.

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' I

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wi Id/

Page 11

Trout Fishing in Georgia

Georgia's approximately 5,500 miles ditions. In general, streams on public proper land use practices. Trees left

of trout streams are relatively unpro- lands are stocked more often and along stream banks provide shade to

_ductive when compared to streams with greater numbers of trout. Trout keep water temperatures cold and

found in other parts of the country. fishing opportunities vary and include help stabilize stream banks to pre:

Therefore, to meet the demands of heavily-stocked high-use streams vent soil from washing into the stream

over 100,000 trout anglers, stocking (better for beginners), wilderness and smothering trout eggs and'aqu~t~

and special regulations .are used on streams, streams with special regula- ic insects.

. . . . . ,.'

some streams to maintain acceptable tions (page 15), and small impound- Many trout.streams are located oh

catch rates. The Wildlife Resources ments. Trout Streams of Georgia is private property. In most cases the

Division and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife available from the Fisheries Section. property owner controls all access

Service stock streams with rainbow, This map includes trout streams, to the stream, Including fishing

brown and brook trout from early April roads, and a list of recommended from a boat, the bank or wading.

through mid-September. The number streams.

Respect the '1and -owner's rights.

of trout stocked and the stocking fre- Trout need clean, cold water to sur- Obtain permission fr~m the land.;

quency depend on a stream's fishing vive and reproduce. Georgians can owner before fishing on private

pressure,accessibility,andwatercon- be good trout managers by using property.

TROUT SEASON

are 30 minutes before sunrise until

Trout season- is from March 27 - 30 minutes after sunset. Night fishOct_ober 31, 1999. Be aware that ing is not allowed. _

there are many trout streams open to

TROUT FISHING RULES

fishing year-round. TROUT FISHING HOURS

Trotlines, set hooks, jugs, nets, bows and arrows,.and all other gear

Fishing hours on seasonal trout except poles and li_nes cannot be

streams, except Waters Creek used in trout streams.

(page 15), are 30 minutes before Trout anglers are restricted to the

sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. use of one pole and.line which must

Night fishing is not allowed.

be hand held.

Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed . on year-round trout streams, ex-
cept ~hose,in next paragraph, and on all impoundments on trout . streams, except Dockery and Rock Creek lakes.

Live bait-fish may not be used in any trout stream, except live baitfish may be USE:ld on the Chattahoochee River downstream of the RoswE:lll Road bridge (Ga Hwy 9). Seining bait-fish is not allowed in

. FishinghoursontheChattahoochee
River from Buford Dam to Peach. tree Creek, the Conasauga River
watershed upstream of the Geixgia-Tennessee state line andSm1th Creek downstream of Unicoi dam

any trout stream.
On trout streams designated as "artificials only", only artificial lures may
be used. It is _unlawful to possess any other type bait on an "artificial only" stream (see definitions on page 4).

It is unlawful to fish for any fish

species in a seasonal trout stream

when the season is closed.



IMPOUNDMENTS ON TROUT STREAMS

ANGLERS CAN:

Fish for fish species other than trout

without a trout license, except on

Dockery and Rock Creek lakes. -

Fish year-round, except on Dockery

Lake.

Fish at night, except on Dockery

and Rock Creek lakes: ,-

,,

If you fish for or possess trout, you

must possess a trout license. If you
catch a trout and do hot possess a

trout licens~ you -must release the

trout immediately. . .

.

Visitors fishing impoundments on

State Parks can fish for=& possess

trout without a trout license. State

Park visitors fishing trout strea.ms

-must possess a trout license.

GEORGIA'S TROUT STREAMS BY COUNTY

Seasonal Trout Streams (S) ar~ open March 27 - October 31, 1999

.

Year-round Streams (YR) are open to fishing throughout the year and are designated in_darl< blue type.

Watershed: the stream and all its tributar1es (streams flowing into that stream). .

.

NOTE: The following trout streams have special regulations, see page 15 before fishing: Chattahoochee River,.

Coleman River, Conasauga River, Hoods Creek, Jones Creek, Moccasin Creek, Mountaintown Creek, _Noontootla.

Creek, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek, Smith Creek, Staniey Creek, Walnut Creek, Waters Creek

BARTOW COUNTY

shed; Stamp Creek watershed upstream CATOOSA COUNTY .

S-Boston Creek watershed upstream from from Bartow Co Rd 269; Two Run Creek S-HurricaneCreekwatershedupstreamfrom

Ga Hwy 20; Toms Creek watershed upstream watershed; Ward Creek watershed.

Peters Branch.

. _: .

from Bartow Co Rd 82.

~ARR~LL couwv

,

YR-Ory Creek watershed (part of East

YR-Connesena Creek watershed; Dykes ti-ta apoosafver watershed north of ChickamaugaCreekwatershed)upstream

Creek watershed; Pine Log Creek water- /-20, not including Little Tallapoosa Riv- of Catoosa Co Rd 257; Little Chickamauga

shed; Pyle Creek watershed; Salacoa er watershed.



Creek watershed upstream from Catoosa

Creek watershed; Spring Creek water-



Page 12 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Changes

(Continues on next 2 pages) Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

S - SEASONAL STREAMS; YR - YEAR-ROUND STREAMS

River watershed; Nancytown Creek water-

Co Rd 387; Tiger Creek watershed up- /a Creek watershed; Rock Creek water- shed upstream from Nancytown Lake; Right

stream from Ga Hwy 2.

. shed; Rock Creek Lake; Toccoa River Fork Soque River upstream of Wilson Falls &

CHATTOOGA COUNTY $-Allgood Branch watershed; Chappel Creek watershed; Chelsea Creek watershed; East Fork Little River watershed; Hinton Creek watershed; Kings Creek watershed; Mt. Hope

downstream from Lake Blue Ridge to the Ga-Tennessee state line &upstream from the mouth of Stanley Creek (does not include tributaries unless listed).
FLOYD COUNTY

tributaries to the entire Right Fork Soque . River; Soque River tributaries that enter the river from the confluence of the Left Fork & Right Fork Soque rivers downstream to the
mouth of Deep Creek.

Creek watershed (Coon Creek); Perennial S-Johns Creek watershed upstream from YR-Chattahoochee River downstream to

Spring watershed; Raccoon Creek water- Floyd Co Rd 212; Kings Creek watershed; Ga Hwy 255; Left Fork Soque River down-

shed upstream from Ga Hwy 48; Ruff Creek Lavender Creek watershed upstream from stream of Ga Hwy 356 except tributaries;

watershed.

Floyd Co Rd 893; Mt. Hope Creek watershed; Uberty Creek watershed; North Fork Broad

YR-Uttle Armuchee Creek watershed up- Toms Creek watershed.

River watershed; Panther Creek water-

stream from Co Rd 326; Storey Mill Creek YR-Dykes Creek watershed; Little Cedar shed; Right Fork Soque River downstream

watershed; Taliaferro Creek watershed. Creek watershed; Silver Creek water- of Wilson Falls except tributaries; Roberts

CHEROKEE COUNTY S-Boston Creek watershed.
YR-Bluff Creek watershed upstream of Cherokee Co Rd 114; Pine Log Creek wa-

shed upstream of Ga Hwy 1E (Floyd Co Branch watershed; Sautee Creek down-

Rd 631); Spring Creek watershed (flows stream from Ga Hwy 255 Alternate bridge;

into Etowah River).

SoqueRiver,excepttributariesdownstream,

FORSYTH COUNTY

from the confluence of Left Fork & Right

tershed; Salacoa Creek watershed; Soap YR-Chattahoochee River.

Fork Soque rivers, to the mouth of Deep

Creek watershed upstream of Cherokee Co FULTON COUNTY

Creek; Toccoa Creek watershed.

Rd 116; Stamp Creek watershed; Wiley YR-Chattahoochee River downstream to HARALSON COUNTY

Creek watershed.

the mouth of Peachtree Creek.

S-Flatwood Creek watershed; Lassetter

COBB COUNTY

GILMER COUNTY

Creek watershed; Mann Creek watershed

YR-Chattahoochee River downstream to S-Harris Creek watershed; Johnson Creek upstream from Haralson Co Rd 162.

.

the mouth of Peachtree Creek.

watershed; Tails Creek watershed; all other YR-Tallapoosa Creek watershed; Ta/-

DADE COUNTY S-East Fork Little River watershed; Rock

streams or parts of-streams not listed as year- lapoosa Rive.r watershed upstream from round except: Coosawattee River downstream Co Rd 222

Creek watershed.

from Old Ga Hwy 5(Gilmer Co Rd 239); Talk- HART COUNTY

YR- Allison Creek watershed; Lookout ing Rock Creek; and tributaries to Carters YR-SavannahRiverfromHartwel/Damdown-

Creek watershed upstream from Dade Reservoir not listed as year-round (these may stream to Richard B. Russell Reservoir.

Co Rd 197. '.

be fished year-round without a trout license). LUMPKIN COUNTY

DAWSON COUNTY

YR-Ball Creek watershed; Cartecay River S-Amicalola Creek watershed; Bryant Creek

S-Amicalola Creek watershed upstream from wate~shed; Con;;sauga River watershed watershed; Cane Creek watershed upstream

Dawson Co Rd 192 (Devil's Elbow Rd) which (exceptJacks River watershed); Coosawa- from Ga Hwy 9-52 bridge; Cavender Creek

is first bridge upstream from Ga Hwy 53; tee River from confluence of Cartecay & watershed; Chestatee River watershed upAmicalola Creek tributaries from Ga Hwy 53 Ellijay rivers downstream to old Ga Hwy 5 stream from Tate Bridge (first bridge below upstream to Dawson Co Rd 192 (Devil's bridge (Gilmer Co Rd 239); Ellijay River Turner's Corner); Chestatee River tributaries Elbow Rd); Nimblewill Creekwatershed; Shoal watershed; Mountaintown Creek water- from the mouth of Tesnatee Creek upstream

Creekwatershed upstream from the mouth of shed; Noontoot/a Creek watershed; Seven- to Tate Bridge; Dockery Lake; Etowah River

Burt Creek; Sweetwater Creek watershed. mile Creek watershed; Town Creek water- watershed upstream from Jay Bridge; Etowah

YR-Amica/ala Creek from Dawson Co Rd shed; Wildcat Creek watershed.

River tributaries from Castleberry Bridge up-

192 (Devil's Elbow Rd) downstream to Ga GORDON COUNTY

stream to Jay Bridge; Shoal Creek water-

Hwy 53; Anderson Creek watershed; Long S-Johns Creek watershed; Pin Hook Creek shed; Yahoola Creek watershed upstream

Swamp Creek watershed.

watershed upstream from Gordon Co Rd from the mouth of Bryant Creek.

FANNIN COUNTY $-Charlie Creek watershed; Etowah River

275; Rocky Creek watershed upstream from Gordon Co Rd 210; Snake Creek watershed.

YR-Chestatee River from Tate Bridge (first bridgebelowTurner'sCorner)downstream

watershed; Jacks River watershed; Owenby YR-Pine Log Creek watershed upstream to the mouth of Tesnatee Creek; Etowah

Creek watershed; Persimmon Creek water- from Ga Hwy 53; Salacoa Creek water- River from Jay Bridge cJownstream to Cas-

shed; South Fork Rapier Mill ereek water- shed upstream from US Hwy 411.

shed; Star Creek watershed; Toccoa River GWINNETT COUNTY

.

tleberry Bridge; Yahoo/a Creek watershed . from the mouth of Bryant Creek down-

tributary watersheds entering the river down- YR-Chattahoochee River.

stream to Ga Hwy 52.

stream from Blue Ridge Reservoir to the Ga- HABERSHAM COUNTY

MURRAY COUNTY

Tennessee ~tate line.& upstream from the S-Amy's Creek watershed upstream from Ga S-Jacks River watershed upstream from.

mouth of Stanley Creek except those listed Hwy 17; Chattahoochee River tributaries Georgia-Tennessee state line; North Prong

as year-round; Tumbling Creek watershed; downstream to Ga. Hwy 255 (except Amy's Sumac Creek watershed; Rock Creek water-

Wilscot Creek watershed.

Creek downstream from Ga Hwy 17 &Sautee shed.upstream from Murray Co Rd 4 (most

YR-Conasauga River watershed (except Creek downstream from Ga Hwy 255 Alter- southern of two Rock Creeks which are in the

Jacks River watershed); Ellijay River wa- nate bridge); Left Fork Soque River upstream Holly Creek watershed); Sugar Creek water-

tershed; Fightingtown Creek watershed; of Ga Hwy 356 & all tributaries to the entire shed upstream from Murray Co Rd 4; Sumac

Mountamtown Creek watershed; Noontoot- Left Fork Soque River; Middle Fork Broad

(Continues on nextpage)

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 13

S - SEASONAL STREAMS; YR - YEAR-ROUND STREAMS .

trout license).

Creek watershed upstream from Coffey Lake. LaCounts Creek watershed (flows into Seed); YR-Brasstown Creek watershed down-

YR~onasauga River watershed upstream Moccasin Creek watershed; Popcorn Creek stream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Coosa from the Georgia-Tennessee state line (ex- watershed; Seals Creek watershed (flows Creek watershed; /vylog Creek watershed; cept Jacks River watershed); Dill Creek into Seed); Slick Shoal Creek (flows into Noontootla Creek watershed; Notte/y River

watershed; Holly Creek watershed up- Seed); Timpson Creek watershed; Wildcat from US Hwy 129-19 bridge downstream.

I

stream from Dill Creek; Mill Creek water- Creek watershed; Worse Creek watershed to Nottely Reserv,oir; Rock Creek water~ shed upstream from Murray Co Rd 27; Mil/ (flows into Tugaloo); and all other streams or shed; Toccoa River (does not include t,fb;

Creek (Hasslers Mill Creek) watershed that parts of streams not listed as year-round utaries unless lister!); Youilgcane Cre~k.

. is in the Holly Creek watershed; Rock except: Tallulah River downstream from Lake watershed.

.: .

C~eek vtatershed (most northern of two Burton Dam & tributaries to Burton, Seed, WALKER COUNTY

.

.' ..

Rock Creeks within Holly ,Creek water- RaQun, Tallulah Falls, Tugaloo& Yonah lakes S-Allen Creek watershed; Chappel Cre~k

shed) upstream from Murray Co Rd 301. not listed as year-round (may be fished year- watershed; Dougherty Creek watershed; Dry

PAULDING COUNTY

round without a trout license).

Creek watershed (tributary to East Armuchee

S-Possum Creek watershed upstream from YR-Chattooga River upstream from the Creek); East Fork Little River watershed (flows

Paulding Co Rd 64; Powder Creek (Powder mouth of Warwoman Creek; Little Ten- into Dade County);. East Fork Uttle River

Springs Creek) watershed; Pumpkinvine nessee River downstream from US Hwy watershed (flows into Chattooga County);

Creek watershed upstream from Paulding Co 23-441 bridge; Overflow Creek water- Furnace Creek watershed; Gilreath Creek';

Rd 231; Raccoon Creek watershed upstream shed; Stekoa Creek watershed; Tallulah Harrisburg Creek watershed upstream from

from SR 2299 (Paulding Co Rd 471 ).

River downstream to Lake Burton; West Dougherty Creek; Johns Creek watershed;

YR-Pyle Creek watershed; Simpson Creek Fork Chattooga River.

Left Fork Coulter Branch watershed; Rock

watershed; Tallapoosa River watershed; STEPHENS COUNTY .

Creek watershed upstream from Sawmill

Thompson Creek watershed; Ward Creek watershed.

S-Middle Fork Broad River watershed upstream from NRCS flood control structure No. 44.

Branch; Ruff Creek watershed; Sawmill:' Branch; Snake Creek watershed; West'

PICKENS COUNTY

YR-Little Toccoa Creek watershed; North Chickamauga Creek watershed upstream

S-Amicalola Creek watershed upstream from Fork Broad River watershed upstream from Walker Co Rd 107; West Fork Little

Dawson Co Rd 192; Cove Creek watershed from NRCS flood control structure No; 1; River watershed.

upstream from Pickens Co Rd 294; Fisher Creek watershed; Pin Hook Creek watershed.

Panther Creek watershed; Toccoa Creek watershed upstream from Toccoa Falls.

YR-Chattanooga Creek watershed upstream from Walker Co Rd 235; Concord

YR~ Ball Creek watershed; Bluff Creek TOWNS COUNTY

. Creek watershed; Duck Creek watershed;

watershed; CartecayRiverwatershed; Darnell Creek watershed; Hobson Creek watershed; Uttle Scarecorn Creek watershed;

S-Bearmeat Creek watershed; Bell Creek watershed; Bugshuffle Branch watershed (Allen Mill Creek); Burch Branch watershed;

Gulf Creek watershed; Little Chickamauga

Creek watershed; .West Armuchee Creek

watershed.



Long Swamp .Creek watershed upstream from Cove Creek; Mud Creek watershed; Rock Creek.watershed; Salacoa Creek watershed; Scarecorn Creek watershed upstream from Ga Hwy 53; Sevenmile Creek watershed; Sharp Mountain Creek watershed; Soap Creek watershed; Talking Rock Creek watershed upstream from S1011 (Ga Hwy 136); Town Creek watershed; Wildcat.Creek watershed.
POLK COUNTY
S-Lassetter Creek watershed; Pumpkinpile
Creek watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd 437:
.YR-Cedar Creek watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd 121; Uttle Cedar Creek watershed; Silver Creek watershed; Spring Creek watershed; Swinney Creek watershed; Thomasson Creek watershed; Thompson Creek watershed upstream of Polk Co Rd 441.
RABUN COUNTY
S-Bad Branch .watershed (flows into Lake Seed); Bad Cree_k. watershed (flows into Tu-

Fodder Creek watershed; Hog Creek watershed; Shake Rag Branch watershed; and all
other streams or parts of streams not listed as year-round except: Hightower Creek downstream from Towns Co Rd 88; Hiwassee
River downstream from Towns Co Rd 87; and tributaries to Chatuge Reservoir not listed below as year-round (may be. fished yearround without a trout license).
YR- Brasstown Creek watershed downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Charlies Creek watershed; Hightower Creek downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge to Towns Co Rd 88; Hiwassee River downstream from Brown Bridge (second bridge above USHwy76onGaHwy75)toTownsCoRd 87; Tallulah River.
UNION COUNTY S-Arkaqua Creek watershed; Bracket Creek watershed; Butler Creek watershed; Camp Creek.watershed; Conley Creek watershed; Kiutuestia Creek watershed; Low Creek wa-

WHITE COUNTY

S-Chattahoochee River watershed upstream

from Ga Hwy 75 Alternate bridge; Chattahoochee

River tributaries from Ga Hwy 75 Alternate bridge

downstream to Ga Hwy 255 bridge except Dukes

Creek watershed downstream from the US For-

est Service property boundary&_ Sautee Creek

; Town Creek watershed upstream from the

mouth of Jenny Creek.



YR-Chattahoochee River downstream from

the Ga Hwy 75 Alternate bridge to the Ga Hwy

255 bridge; Dukes Creek watershed down-

stream from the US Forest Service property

boundary; Little Testnatee Creek watershed

upstream from the mouth of Tu;ner Creek;

Sautee Creek; Smith Creek downstream of .

Unicoi dam; Turner Creek watershed (one

nearest to Cleveland City limits).

WHITFIELD COUNTY

S-East Armuchee Creek watershed; Snake

Creek watershed; Swamp Creekwatershed

galoo); Bridge Creek watershed; Crow Creek tershed; and all other streams or parts of upstream from Whitfield Co Rd 9.

watershed (flows into Seed); Dicks Creek streams not listed below as year-round ex- YR-Coahulla Creek watershed upstream

watershed (flows into Burton); Falls Branch cept: Butternut Creek watershed; Nottely River from Whitfield Co Rd 183; Dry Creek water:.

watershed (flows into Rabun); Flat Creek downstream from Nottely Dam & tributaries shed (part of East Chickamauga Creek,

watershed; Goldmine Branch (flows into Bur- to Nottely Reservoir not listed as year-round watershed); Spring -Creek (Deep Spring ton); Joe Creek watershed (flows into Rabun); (these may be fished year-round without a Creek) watershed; Tiger Creek watershed.

Page 14 1-888-748-6887 for licenses Rcct'.01 Law Change~ Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Special Trout Stream Regulations

. While fishing specially regulated waters with a minimum size limit, it is a violation for an angler to possess a trout which is less than the specified minimum size regardless of where the fish was caught. The following trout streams and portions of trout streams have been set aside under special management programs to provide a variety of troutfishing opportunities:

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

NOONTOOTLA CREEK

Creek and its tributaries are open

Anglers fishing the river from Ga. Hwy Anglers fishing Noontootla Creek and during the trout season on Wednes-

20to the boat ramp atthe National Park its tributaries on Blue Ridge WMA are days, Saturdays, and Sundays. only

Service Medlock Bridge Park immedi- restricted to using artificial lures.' between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

ately upstream of Ga. Hwy 141 are All trout less than 16 inches in length Eastern Standard Time (7:30 p.m.

r~strictedto using artificial.lures only. must be released immediately.

Eastern Daylight Saving Time) with

'.l'IOTE: The Chattahoochee River, SMITHGALL WOODS .DUKES the following restrictions:

.

within the Chattahoochee River Na~ CREEK CONSERVATION AREA Artificial lures with a single barble_ss

tional Recreation Area, from Buford Dukes Creek and its tributaries within hook no larger than a #6 must be

Dam to Peachtree Creek is closed to the state-owned Dukes Creek Conser- used. One lure can be used at a time.

any use at_ night (30 minutes after vation Area are open to fishing year- You cannot possess lure~ that dq not,

two-. suriset to 30 minutes before sunrise). round under a permit system. To make meet these criteria while on the area:

Anyone in or on the river between a reservation call 706~878-3087.

Landing nets m1;1y not ex~eed

Bufo'rd Dam and Ga. Hwy 20 bridge Only artificial lures with barbless (2) feet iri length.



must wear a persona.I flotation device hooks may be used or possessed on Possession of any bait, lure, landing

(life jacket)"..

the portion of Dukes Creek & its trib- nets or gear not legal for use on the

COLEMAN RIVER

utaries iri White County on the Con- stream is unlawful.

Anglers fishing the Colerrian River servation Area, including the Ga. Hwy All anglers must check in and out of.

and its tributaries from its junction 75 Alternate right-of-way. Possession the creek.





with the Tallulah River upstream to. of any bait, lure, or gear not legal for No night fishing.

Forest Service Bridge No. 54 are use on the stream is unlawful.

License Requirements:

restricted to using artificial lures.

All fish caught fq::>m Dukes Creek & Residents: Georgia resident fishing

CONASAUGA RIVER

its tributaries on the Conservation. license, Trout license, and WMA Ii-

Area, including the Ga. Hwy 75 Alter- cense. Senior(65.+) Lifetime and Hon-

AnglersfishingtheConasaugaRiverand nate right~of-way, must be immedi- orary license holders do not need a

its tributaries (except Jacks River water- ately released where caught.

WMA license.

shed) upstream of the Georgia-Tennes- No trout may be possessed while Nonresidents:NonresidentGeorgiafish-

see state line are restricted to using only fishing on any stream on the Conser- ing license, nonresident trout license.

artificial lures from Nov 1i'1998-Mar vation Area or the Ga. Hwy 75 Alter- and nonresident WMA license. Florida

26, 1999. Natural bai_ts may be used n~te right-of~way.

residents more than 65 years must pos-

during trout season (3/27..:..10/31/99). SMITH CREEK

sess trout and WMA licenses.

HOODS CREEK Anglers fishing. H_oods .Creek and its tributaries on the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are restricted to using artificial lures.
JONES CREEK Anglers fishing the portion of Jones Creek and its tributaries on the Blue Ridge WMA are restricted to using artificial lures.
MOCCASIN CREEK The portion of Moccasin Creek between Lake Burton Hatchery water in-
take and a sign marking the approximate normal pool level of Lake Burton is restricted to anglers under. 12 years of age andholders of Honorary licensesandisopenonlyduringtroutseason. MOUNTAINTOWN CREEK
Anglers fishing Mountaintown Creek and its tributaries upstream of Mountaintown Creek Watershed Structure No. 2 (Hills Lake) are restricted to using artificial lures.

Anglers fishing Smith Creek on Uni- Size limits: 22 inches for brown and

coi State Park from l)nicoi Dam down- rainbow trout and 18 inches for brook

stream to the Unicoi State Park prop- trout. It is a violation to possess a

erty boundary must release all trout trout smaller than these limits while

immediately and use and only pos- fishing on Waters creek.

sess artificial lures with single hooks - Possession limits: One (1) trout

from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. These may be possessed daily. Nopersori

restrictions dci not apply from May 15 . may take more than three (3) trout

- Oct. 31 of each year.

per season.



STANLEV CREEK .

Anglers fishing Stanley Creek and its

tributaries on the Rich Mountain WMA

are restricted to using artificial lures.

WALNUT FORK CREEK

AnglersfishingWalnutForkCreekandits

tributaries on the Warwoman WMA are

restricted to using artificial iures.

WATERS CREEK

Waters Creek,. located ori the
Chestatee WMA, is managed for trophy trout jointly by the Wildlife Resources Division and the U.S. Forest Service with the! Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited cooperating. Waters

The all steel garage and shop building

Protect your investments economically

Build it yourself

~

Limited time only

( American

800/419 5589 ST. .L SPAN

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page ls'

FINDING A PLACE TO FISH. IN GEORGIA IS EASY, HERE IS WHY! .

Georgia boasts some of the most .diverse fishing opportunities in the country. You can fish for trout in 5,500 miles ,

of mountair:i trout streams; walleye and striped bass in cool mountain lakes; bass, sunfish, crappie, and. catfish in r

\ 9ver 500,000 acres of large lakes, thousands of small ponds, or -12,000 miles ofwarmwater streams and rivers; .
and saltwater fish along the coast. Finding places to fish is simple once you _obtain these free publications from . :'.

~my Fisheries office:

.

.

\ . v.iww.ganet.org/dnr ~ the ql'.'JR_ web site will_ g~t yqu to a wealth of fish[ng information . _.

,. .. . . _ ,,{ ..

.>t<.: :i \\. R~voir and S~uth Georgia River Fishing Prospects - updated annually by fisheries bibi9gi$ts'.th~se .

. -public_ations give you inform~tion about each lake or river, who to call, species you-canfi$h for,,_fishing tips, and::;<..'

.
more.

..

i



.

,.-

Small Georgia Lakes Open to Public Fishing - lists small lakes you can fish arci~rid the\tat~. _ln-~iud~s. l~-c~?: .....

.tion, telephone, fi$h species, facilities, when you can fish, ~nd other pertinent information..





,I'

I

.





'

'

'



,



>

Public.Fishing Areas - Located statewide, you can fis_h for bass, sunfish, catfish, and crappie at any of eight_ :. .

PFAs. These areas are managed by WAD for anglers and truly are "Perfect Family Areas" for fishing and recre-

ation. Information cards provide the information you need to visit. PFAs also included on pg 18-19 .of this book.:,

. 'Trout a: Streamso,: Georgia - this map shows all the trout streams in Georgia, public la~d-wher!=l acc~ss is nq~

problem, roads, camping areas, and has fishing tips and a list of stocked and wild stream's to get.ypu started; '

An Introduction to Georgia Trout Fishing - gives the: begin~er, or someone new to Georgia,. tips on wh~re to ' ' .

.. .. , fish for trout and how to do it. .

. . .

. .

. _

. .





I



'

'

I

'\

/



),





<

,



'



CI

Saltwater fishing - the DN R web site has all the information you need to fish from the sh9re .or from a boat at :. .

;.one. cit the artifical reefs. www.ganet.org/dnr/crd

.

:

Others: Reservoir & River Marinas & Related Facilities Guide to Fishing the Upper Ocmulgee Rive_r (inap)

. _ . . Sources for Lake Maps ...

Guide to-Fishing the Lower OcmulgeeRiver (map)

, .. : Professional Fishing Guides '(list) Flathea<;l Fishing G_uide (how to) .

Guide to Fishing the Satilla River (map) . . .

Guide to Fishing the Altamah~ River (map) . :

'' '

~: . . ,.

Fisheries. Section Offices, Ha_tcheries & Public Fishing ~eas.

i-' Rocky Moi.mtain Rec. & PFA

2 suinmerville Office & Hatchery

3 Cal.houri .

_.

4 Burton Office & Trout Hatchery 5 Gainesville . . . . .

. . 706-802-5087 r-ir-r--r-r-r----..-.;.....;,_,.;.....,.....,

706-857-3394

e ,

Fisheries Otfice/Hatbh~t-'.

706-629-t259 1-=---.1~..,

. .

. . . . ' .'

706-94 7 -3112 . 770-53~~5498

.
___,..__~

' Public Fishing Area

.6 Buford Trout Hatchery

7 Thomson



770~ 781 ~6888 706-595-1619

8 McDuffie PFA &Hatchery
... 9 Walton Office & Hatchery

706-5.95'-1684 770-918-6418

1o_Charlie Elliott Wildlife_Center

.770-784-3059

.11 Treutlen County PFA

912-685-6424

12 Metter



', i3 Evans County PFA.

912-685-6424' 912-739-113_9

14 Demeries Creek
i 5 Richmond Hill Hatchery

912-727-2112
9 i2-756-3691

. 16 Coastal Resources Division HQ

., ' 1TWaycross



912-.264-7218 912-285-6094

18 Dodge County PFA

912-374-6765

19 Cordele Hatchery

912-276-2362

20 Bowens Mill Office & Hatchery

912-426-5272

21 Paradise PFA

912-533~4792

. 22 Albany .

912-430-4256

23 Maqchester

706-846-8448

24 Big Lazer Creek PFA

706-846-8448

25 Fort Valley

912-825-6151

_26 Dawson Office & Steve Cocke Hatchery 912-995-4486

27 Wildl1fe Resources Division Headquarters 770-918~6400

Page 16' 1-888-748s6887 for licenses Recent Law Changes

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Here, under one roof, more fishing tackle, hunting gear, camping
equipment, Tracker- and Nitro boats than you've ever seen before!
Every department, whether it's men's or ladies' sportswear,
footwear or even gifts, has a focus on the outdoors. Exciting displays
with incredible wildlife mounts and rustic looking outdoor motifs make this a special place you need to experience. Don't miss our exciting specialevents at Sportsman's Warehouse: Bass Madness Turkey Week
Camping Week Outdoor Kids Week
Buck Madness
Coll or visit for more lnfonnationl

The publication of these regulations was paid. for in part through ~he sale qf advertising. The Georgia Depa:i-tni~nt of Natural Resources neithe:r endorses products or services listed nor . accepts any liability ari~ing from the use of products or services listed.
1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Rt:cen1 L.1w Change~

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 17

Public Fishing Areas

,

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE FISHING AT A PFA!

11Perfect Family Areas"

Licenses: Anglers 16 years of age and older

Public Fishing Areas.(PFAs) are ar- include:fertilizationandlimingoflakes, must posses a valid Wildlife Man-

eas managed intensively for fishing sampling fish populations, planting agement Area (WMA) license and a

by the Wildlife Resources Division. wildlife foods, .constructing nature current fishing license to fish, ex-

Currently, the Wildlife Resources Di- trails, checking licenses and creels, cept a WMA license is not required .

vision operates eight PFAs. located and assisting users. PFAs offer fish- to fish at R~cky Mountain Rec(e-

around the state. Most of the PFAs ing opportunities for the bank and ation and PFA.

are made up of one or more intensive- boat angler, the beginner and the ex- Senior (65+) Lifetime and Honorary Fish-

ly managed .ponds or lakes. Fish pert angler as we!I. These areas offer ing License holders are not required

available to the angler include: large- arelaxedsettingforthefamilytoenjoy to possess a WMA license to fish.

mouth bass, bream (bluegill & redear fishing, picnicking, hiking, watching If you possess a Sportsman's Li-

sunfish), channel catfish and crappie. wildlife, and camping (not all areas cense or a One-Day Fishing License

Some of the more importan,t manage- provide camping). ment activities conducted on PFAs

(resident or nonresident) you are not required to possess a WMA

license.

. On Public Fishing Areas, YOU CAN:

Unless a sign has been posted as having a different length limit or creel and

Operate fishing boats propelled by paddles, oars, or electric motors

possesion limit the following apply:,

I,

on ponds or lake~, or portions of ponds or lakes, unless they are

Length limit,for Largemouth bass:

posted as closed to the use of such fishing boats.

14 inches minimum

Operate any fishing boat being propelled by a motor at idle speed

Creel and Possession Limits:

only in lakes posted as open to the use of fishing boats with motors.

Largemouth bass .......................... 5

IT IS UNLAWFUL TO:

Bream or sunfish (of any one or a combination) ...................'...,. 15

Consume or use alcoholic beverages except in houses or ;:1t . campsites on the area. No alcoholic beverages a~e allowed on

Channel c'atfish ......................:...... 5 All other species ........ ~ .. ; see pa~e 6

Rocky Mountain PFA.

Grass carp (white amur) mus~ be.

Fish except during the time between sunrise and sunset.

released immediately.

! Fish in a pori(:I or lake that has been posted "closed".

F1sh w.ith any gear other than pole and line.

Fish with more than two poles and lin.es.

. Use live fish for bait, unless the lake or pond. has been posted as being open to t~e use of live fish for bait.

~ Operate personal watercraft (jet skis), sailboats, or sailboards.

Park a vehicle at any place within a PFA where signs prohibit

parking.





Drive or otherwise operate a vehicle on any road posted "closed"
to vehicular access, to drive around aclosed gate or cable blocking
a road, orto drive on any road that is not receiving maintenance for the purpose of vehicular access.

Camp any place other than those areas designated by appropriate signs as camping areas. NOTE: Conta~tthe.PFA before visiting for all regulations regardi~g camping.

Swim, except at Rocky Mountain Recreation & PFA beach.

For children under 14 years of age to enter or remain on any PFA unless under the supervision of an adult.
Disobey any lawful order of a Law Enforcement Officer or the Area
Manager.
For horses to be on areas other than those designated as open to equestrian use.

Public Fishing Areas

BIG LAZER CREEK (Talbot County)

(706-846-8448)

,

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Blue-

gill & Redear sunfish, Channel cat- .

fish, Crappie

Water: 195 acre lake

Facilities: concrete two-lane boat ramp,

fishing pier, restrooms, picnic tabl~s.

primitive camping, some fac!lities ac-

cessibl~ to persons with ..disabilities .

Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days

a week

. ,

DIRECTIONS FROM TALBOTTON:

East on US Hwy 80 for 4 miles; left 'on

Po Biddy Road for 6.4 miles; left on

Bunkham Road; left into ar~a

CHARLIE ELLIOTT WILDLIFE

CENTER (Jasper & Newton Counties)

(770-784-3059)

.

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Blue:

gill, Redear sunfish, Crappie, Chan-

nel catfish

(Continues on next page) .

Page 18 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Rt:ceilt Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Water: 22 ponds totalling 295 acres. Ponds range in size from 1 to 95 acres. Facilities: Kids only ponds,. concrete boat ramps (6 lakes), boat docks, restrooms, fishing piers, picnic areas, primitive camping, some fishing ar-

Facilities: concrete boat ramps, rest- Water: two lakes (202 & 357 acres)

rooms, picnic tables, tent an.d RV Facilities: concrete boat ramps, fish-

camping in designated areas (fee is ing jetties, restrooms, picnic shelters,

$10 per site per night)

scenic overlooks, hiking trails, tent &

Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days RV camping (seasonal), group primi-

a week



tive camping (reservation only), group

eas accessible to persons with disabilities
Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days a week

DIRECTIONS FROM THOMSON:
South on Hwy 17 to us Hwy 278; left
(east) for 5.6 miles; right on Ellington
Airline Road for 2.8 miles; right on

pie~!~ area (res~rvation only), so~e f~c1ht1_~~ accessible to persons with
disabilities . Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days

NOTE: Sign in at information board Fish Hatchery Road for 0.8 miles

a week

and check for lakes that are open for PARADISE (Berrien County)

Fee: Rocky Mt PFA parking permit

fishing when you visit.

(9125334792)

DIRECTIONS FROM MANSFIELD: . .

(daily or' annual) required (one per vehicle, not# of individuals) required

South on GA Hwy 11 for 2.7 miles; left F!sh Species: La~gemouth bass, Bl_ue- by all users, WMA stamp not required

on Marben Farms Rd. (Co. ,Rd. 229), gill, R~dear sunfish, Channel catfish, Restrictions:

follow signs

,,.

Crappie, Brown bullhead .

It is illegal to possess alcoholic bev-

DODGE COUNTY

Water: 75 lakes encompassing 525 erages

(912_374_6765)
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish Water: 104 acre lake Facilities: concrete boat ramps , fishing pier, restrooms, picnic tables, na-

acres of water. (Lakes.Bobbin, Patrick, and Tackle Buster are closed. for re-
pair). Facilities: Restrooms, picnic are~. concrete boat ramps, primitive camping, fishing pier, boat dock, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities

No one may rappel, rock climb or

hang glide



DIRECTIONS FROM ROME: North

on US Hwy 27 for 10.4 miles, left on Sike Storey Road0.4 miles, left on Big

Texas Valley Road 5.4 miles to entrance

ture trail, som~ facilities accessible to Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days TREUTLEN COUNTY

persons with disabilities

a week

(912-685-6424)

Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days a week

DIRECTIONS FROM TIFTON: East on US Hwy 82 for 8 miles to Brookfield-

DIRECTIONS FROM EASTMAN: South Nashville Road near Brookfield; follow

on US Hwy 23/341 for 3 miles; left on signs from US Hwy 82 to the area

County Road 49 for 0.6 miles to lake ROCKY MOUNTAIN RECREATION

EVANS COUNTY

.

& PUBLIC FISHING AREA

(912-739-1139) Fish Species: Largemouth bas's, Blue-

(Floyd County) (706-802-5087) Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Blue-

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Blue-

gill,, Redear sunfish, Warmouth, Flier, Brown bullhead, Crappie

Water: 189 acre lake

Facilities: concrete boat ramp

Open: sunrise to sunset, seven days

a week



DIRECTIONS FROM SOPERTON:

gill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, gill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, North on County Road 166 for 4.5

Crappie, Brown bullhead

Black crappie, Hybrid white-striped miles; at Wildlife Resources sign right

Water: three ponds encompassing 122 bass

onto dirt road

acres (8, 30, 84 acres)

Facilities: concrete boat ramps, fishing piers, restrooms, picnic tables, . primitive camping, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities

ICAN
T F/$H___.

Qpen: March 1 - October 31, sunrise

to sunset, seven days a week DIRECTIONS FROM CLAXTON: East

Fish for Stocking Lakes and Ponds

on US Hwy 280 for 8.5 miles; right on Old Reidsville-Savannah Road for 1

~ f 1 Largemouth Bass (Florida x Northern)

mile; left on Old Sunbury Road (dirt), PFA 0.3 miles on right marked by Wildlife Resources sign

~----
.

. Faster growing and more aggressive
Copl?ernose Bluegill

McDUFFIE (McDuffie County) (706-595-1684)

Redear Shellcracker

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel. catfish
Water: 12 ponds varying in size from 1 to 30 acres

Sterile Grass Carp. Automatic Fish Feeders Call for more information (800) 524-0383

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 19

LARGEMOUTH BASS
upper jaw extends beyond eye

spiny & soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so
/

WHITE BASS (seldom exceeds 3 pounds)
tongue with one tooth patch

tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare

S MALLMOUTH BASS

usually has vertical stripes along body

2nd anal spine 2/3 or r~ength of 3rd anal spine

HYBRID WHITE STRIPED BASS

back arched

stripes distinct &
usually broken

body deep

S POTTED BASS
upper jaw not past rear of eye

3 short spines on anal fin
spiny & soft dorsal fin clearly connected
I

-

'i )

-. ~ ,,

-----) ~ ' ~-~f\~.'

'

.~

tongue with two ~

2nd anal spine 2/3 or more

tooth patches

the length of 3rd anal spine

STRIPED BASS body slender

stripes distinct occassionally broken

tooth patch on tongue
CHANNEL CATF'ISH

tail deeply forked

tongue with two tooth patches
FLATHEAD CATFISH head wide & flat

2nd anal spine 1/2 or less the length of 3rd anal spine
body dark in color

body spots usually present on young
CHAIN PICKEREL (JACKFISH)
elongated body with chain-like markings

sharp needle like teeth

Page 20

1-888-748-6887 for licenses

large mouth; lower j aw extends past upper jaw

tail not forked

WALLEYE

no spots on dorsal fin dark area at base
of dorsal fin

sharp teeth

/
white spot at bottom of tail

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

BLACK CRAPPIE 7-8 dorsal spines - - - -
body color pattern irregular arranged spots BLUEGILL

RAINBOW TROUT
small black dots throughout the body that extend into the tail

black spot on soft dorsal fin

~.,.. ~-- --~ -~ . ;-._..

...--.,.,....,:.., ,...,

...

. ~

1

..

red stripe along side on silvery body

BROWN TROUT black & red-orange spots inside light circles on brown body

ve1tical bars on body REDEAR SUNFISH (SHELLCRACKER)

caudal fin (tail) square
BROOK TROUT light, worrnlike markings on dark upper body

REDBREAST SUNFISH long, dark ear flap

spotted body

GIZZARD SHAD

blue lines on head

ear flap (operculum) not wider than eye

BLUEBACK HERRING pointed snout

small dorsal fin

blunt snout THREADFIN SHAD
mouth at end of snout

deep body

lower jaw sloped upward
1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

pointed snout

yellow tail fin

1anges

www.ganet.org/dnr/wiId/

Page 21

Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters

The Health Benefits Of Eating Fish . Trim off the fatty areas (see draw- cern in Georgia waters, PCBs and chlor-

Fish provide a high protein, low fat diet ing).Remove the belly fat, side fat, and dane, were banned years ago and,

I,

which is low in saturated fats. Fish may the flesh along the top of the back. This although it may take many decades,

I

have substantial health benefits when can reduce some contaminants by 25% they will gradually disappear from the

: ' I,

. they replace a high fat source of protein to 50%.

environment.

in the diet.

back fat

What Are The Health Risks?

The quality of sport fish caught in Georgia is very good; however, of the 43 metals and chemicals tested for by the Georgia Department of Natural Re-

~ - side fat belly fat
Trim away these fatty areas

The chemicals that currently occur in sufficient quantities in fish tissue to warrant concern are PCBs, chlordane, and mercury. These chemicaIsaccu-

sources (DNA), only polychlorinated bi-

mulate in your body gradually overtime,

phenyls (PCBs), chlordane, and mer- Cook fish so fat drips away. Broil, but it would take months or even years

cury have been found in some fish from bake, or grill fish and do not. use the of regularly eating contaminated food

a few bodies of water. In most cases, drippings. Deep-fat frying removes to accumulate levels that would affect

the levels of these contaminants are some contaminants, but discard the oil your health. It is important to remem-

low. However, to helpGeorgia anglers once you have cooked the fish. Pan ber th,at the guidelines published by

and their families evaluate the health frying removes few, if any, contami- DNR are based on the assumption

risks of eating fish from wild popula- nants.



tioris, DNA has developed guidelines

How Does DNR Deter,nine

for how often certain species of fish can

What Waters Are Tested?

that a person might eat fish from a listed body of water for a period of 30 years or more.

be safely eaten. It should be noted that

these guidelines are based on the best

scientific information and procedures

available. Also it is important to keep in



'

mind tt~at ft~ehse 'tghu1~ell_nles aret ba~ed

. 0eorgia

has

more

th

an

?O,OOO

. ~iles

of

rivers and streams and a~proxima.tely

500,000 acres of lakes. It is not poss1-

ble for DNA to sample every stream

and lake in. the state. However, high

Understanding fish consumption guide-

lines will help you make informed choic-

es. If largemouth bass are listed in the

"

I

k" 1

f th

one mea per wee co umn o e

guidelines table, eating such fish no

~n ea mg 1s _w1 s1m1 ar con amma- priority has been placed on the 26 ma- more often than _on~. meal per ~eek tlon over~ p~riod of 30 ye~rs or more. jor reservoirs which make up more than .should cause nos1grnflcanthealth risks.

T_hese guidelines are not 1_nte~ded to goo/oofthetotallakeacreage: DNA has This advice is ba~ed on a 150 pound

discourage people from eating f1~h, but . also made sampling fish in rivers and . person, a meal size of 4 to 8 ounces

angler_s sho~ld u~e them as a guide f?r streams downstream of urban and/or (1/4 to 1/2 pound), and a risk f~ctor of

choosing which fish to eatfrom Georgia_ industrial areas a high priority. In .addi- one in 10,000 over a 30 year period.

waters.
How To Reduce Your Health Risk

tion DNA will focus attention on areas Obviously, most people would not eat whi~h are frequented by a large num- that much fish from public waters, so it

Eat smaller fish. As a general rule, ber of anglers.

is easy to see that these guidelines are

larger, older fish may be more contam- Where do Contaminants .Come From? very conservative.

inated than smaller, younger fish from Forestablishingfishconsumptionguide-

Guidelines For Georgia

the same body of water. You can min- lines, the most troublesome contami- The following tables list the current

imize your health risk by eating smaller hant to deal with is mercury. This guidelines for eating fish for lakes and

fish that are within legal size limits. naturally-occurring element is almost. rivers in Georgia. Lakes and rivers list-

Vary the kind of fish you eat. Contam- everywhere in the environment and it is ed at the top of each table do not have

inants build up in top _predators and difficulttounderstandorcontrol its many any restrictions, indicating that the fish

bottom-feeders, like bass and catfish, sources. It is widely transported in the . from those areas have been tested and

to a greater extent than panfish, such atmosphere across national boundaries found to contain little or no contamina-

as bream and crappie.
Clean And Cook Fish Properly
How you clean and cook your fish can reduce the level of contaminants by as much as half in some fish. Some chemicals have a tendency to concentrate in the fatty tissues of fish. By removing the fish's skin and trimming fillets according to the following diagram, you can reduce the level of contaminants substantially. Mercury is bound to the .meat of the fish, so these precautions will not help reduce this contaminant
Remove the skin. The internal organs (intestines, liver, and so forth) and skin

and settles to the ground everywhere. tion. If the lake or stream where you fish

Most mercury remains biologically in- .is listed in the table, it is safe to eat the active, but unc;ler certain conditions it amount listed for a given species in that

combines with other. elem~nts and en~ specific body of water.

ters the complex food chain, gradually

.

.

p

W

accumulating priml;lrily in animals that Special _Notice For regnant_ omen,

eat other animals.

Nursing Mothers, and Children

In years past, mercury was widely used If you plan to become pregnant in the in Georgia and other states to recover next year o~ two, are pregnant now, or gold in the mining process. It is still ar~ a nursing mother; you and your being used for that purpose in some c~Ildren un_d_er 6 years of age are espe-

countries. Mercury is also a byproduct cIally sensItIve to the effects of some

of the burning of fossil fuels, such. as contami~ants. For adde~ protectio~, coal. Fortunately, mercury is not known women in these categories _and chIl-

to cause cancer but it can cause nerve dren may wish to limit consumption to a damage if it ac~umulates in sufficient greater extent than recommended in

are often high in fat and contaminants. levels. The other contaminants of con- the tables.

Page 22 1-888-748~6887 for licenses

Rt:c.ent Law changes

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

\Guidelines for Limiting the Fish You Eat from Lakes
There are no restrictions on lakes Blackshear, City of Adalrsvllle pond, Chatuge;Dodge Co. PFA, Fort Vargo State Park, Go~on Lake North, Gordon Lake South, Hard Labor Creek State Park (Rutledge), Juliette, Ken Garden, Mayer, McDuffie PfA (East & West Watersheds), Olmstead, Paradise PfA (Patrick & Horseshoe 4), Sinclair~ Shepard (Charlie Elliott WIidiife Center), Tobesofkee, and Varner (Newton Co.).

!Albany By-Pass Pond

Largemouth bass over 12' ' Brown bullhead

!Acworth

Bluegill, Largemouth bass under 16"

Largemouth bass over 16'

Allatoona

Carp under 16', Crappie, Golden redhorse .

Spotted bass 12-16'

Spotted bass under 12', Largemouth bass 12-16' carp over 16', White bass 12-16'.

'

Channel catfish under 16'

Largemouth bass over 16'

Andrews

Channel catfish

Largemouth bass over 12'

Banks

Bluegill

Largemouth bass over 12'

Bennett - C. Elliott PFA

Largemouth bass over 12'

Big Haynes

Channel catfish under. 12'

Channel catfish 12-16'

Largemouth bass 12-16~.

Big Lazer

:

Largemouth bass 12-16'

Largemouth bass over 16'

Blue Ridge

:

Channel catfish over 12'

White bass 12-16'

Burton

Largemouth bass 6-12'1cWhite catfish under 16'

,

Channel camsh, Bluegill -'

,

Largemouth bass over 16'

Carters

Walleve 12-16', Lar9eroouth bass over 12' Spotted Dass under 16 , Channel catfish over 12'

Walleye over 16'

Clarks HIii

Catfish Ul'!der 16', Bilk crapP.le,,eear sunfish 1 White percli un er 12, Stn bass.
Spo"ed sucker, Hybrl bass, Bull eads under 12'

Catfish over 16'' Largemouth bass over 12'

Evans County PFA

Channel catfish Largemouth bass 12-16'

Largemouth bass over 16'

Goat Rock

Black crappie, Channel catfish under 16' Largemouth bass 12-16', Spotted sucker

' Hybrid bass under 12' Largemouth bass over 16'

Hybrid bass over 16' Channel catfish over 16'

Hardina_ (Bartleft's f!lrry)

Crappie

Hybrid bass under 12' Largemouth bass over 12' Channel catfish under 12'

Hybrid bass over 16' Channel catfish over 12'

t111rtwell [Tugaloo Arm)

Black crappie, Largemouth bass 12-16'

Striped bass under 1~ Hybrid bass under 16'

1

Channel camsh under 16'

Channel catfish over 16' Largemouth bass over 16'

Hybrid bass over 16' Striped bass over 12'

~lgh Falls

Channel catfish under 16' La~gemouth bass under 16', Redear sunfish

Channel catfish over 16' Largemouth bass o_ver 16'

Jackson

Black crappie, Redear sunfish Catfish under 16'

Catfish over 16' Largemouth bass over 12'

Lanier Nancytown

Catfish, Bluegill, Black crappie

Largemouth bass over 12' Bream

Carp over 15:

Nottely

Channel catfish; Black crappie

Largemouth bass over 12'

Oconee

Largemoulh bass 1,inde1 16', Chanpel catfish , White ~tfish, Black crap_p1e , . Hybnd bass under 16'

Largemouth bass over 16'

Pllver

Largemouth~ 12-16', StrlpJ;ld bass under 12'

Channel catfish u11der 12", Redear sunfish,

Bluegill

.

Largemouth bass over 1~

Chanr:iel catfish 9ver 12' r

Rabun

.Largemouth bass 12-16', Bluegill . White catfish under 16'

White catfish over 16' Largemouth bass over 16'

Richard B. Russell
Semlnole Stone Mountain Tugaloo Walter F. George

Largemouth bass 12-16:,_ Black crappie under 16'

White perch under 12', 1.,hannel catfish under 16'

.

Bullhead under 12', Bluegill
.

Bullhead under 12'.'.i Largemouth bass 12-16' Channel catfish, .:>potted sucker under 16'

White catfish under-12' Largemouth bass over 15
Bullhead over 12' Largemquth bass over 16'

Channel catfish .

Largemouth bass over 16'

:White catfish under 16', Bluegill

Largemouth bass

Hybrid bass, Crappie, Catfish under 16'

Largemouth bass, Catfish over 16'

WestPoint

Blackcrappie, Hybrid bass Largemouth bass

Carp, Channel catfish

Worth

Largemouth bass 12-16' Flathead catfish Challnel catfish under 16", Spotted sucker

Channel catfish over 16' Largemouth bass over 16'

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www .ganet.org/dnr/wi Id/

Page 23

Guidelines for Limiting the Fish You Eat from Rivers & Creeks

Co.), There'aie:no restrictions on the Alcovy Rlver,"Boen Creek (Rabun Co.), Brasstown creek (Towns

Broad River, Buffalo Creek (Carroll Co.),Butternut Creek (Union Co.), Cane Creek (Lumpkin Co.),

Chattahoochee River (Chattahoochee, Early, & Stewart cos.), Chattanooga Creek, Chattooga River (NW :

Ga.), Dukes Creek, Flint River (Taylor, Dougherty, Baker & Mitchell cos.), Daniels Creek (Croudland ..'

Canyon S~te Park), E~st Chickamauga Creek, Goldmine Branch, Jacks River, Jones Creek, Llttle Dry ..

Creek (Floyd Co.), little Tallapoosa River, MIii Creek (Whltfleld Co.), Moccasin Creek (Lake Burton Trout

Hatchery), Noon l>ay Creek -~Cobb Co.), Ocmulgee River (Houston & Twiggs cos.), Oconee River (Laurens

Co. & Mllledgevllle to Dublin , Ponder. Branch (Walker Co.), Slab Camp Creek (Oconee Co.), Stamp Creek-1

(Pine Log WMA), Steka Cree , Tallapoosa River, Yahoola Creek, and Yellow River.

,r i

...... -,
. Alapaha River

Alapahoochee Rive~ .

Altamaha River '

. .

.

Apalachee Rlve_r

Beaver Creek (Taylor Co.) Brier Creek (Burke Co.)

Canoochee River ..

Casey Canal

... - .., ......

- ,,,,,.-,,-,,, .,,,.,--

.-.,..,,,-,, ,..,.:,

,.-,,

.Redbreast sunfish
.

"
. .

" .
,

Channel catfish Channel catfish

. '

. ,.

Largemouth bass, Bluegill

Spotted sucker

,. Spotted bullhead

Flathead catfish Largemouth. bass

Largemouth bass

. "

..

Spotted ~ucker
'

, Redbreast sunfish

Striped mullet

Largemouth bass . Spotted bullhead .
..
.. Yellow bullhead. Largemouth bass Largemouth bass Cliannel catfish
..

Chattahoochee River

. .

(Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam)

Spotted sucker, Redear sunfish Yellow.perch, Rainbow trout

Brown trout, Carp .

Largemouth bass

Qhattahoochee River

Brown trout, Ju~rock sucker

(Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek)

Largemo bass . .

Carp

Chattahoochee River Peachtree Creek to Frankllri, Ga)

Channel catfls\ Spqtted bass . . White sue er, Carp

Largemouth bass

Striped bass

Chattahoochee River ~Ollver Dam to _Chattahoochee Co.)

Largemouth bass

Chattahoochee River (West Point dam to 1-85)
Ch.lc~ml:!.uga..Cr!:le.k (West). ~-. . ,- ...... "'

Largemouth bass, Bullheads
-. ., Redbreast sunfish: ..

~oosa River (Floyd Co.)

.. .

..

Spotted bass

Etowah _River (~b~ve Lake All11t~ona) .. Etowah Rlver.(below Lake.Allatoonaj

Golden redhorse Channel catfish Striped bass, Bluegill

Channel catfish
'.
Spotted bass

- - ... . . Spotted bass ...

.,, \.

Black crappie, Largemouth bass Striped bass, Channel catfish, Smallmouth buffalo

Spotted bass

Spotted bass . Largemouth bass

Smallmouth buffalo

Flint River (Meriwether/Upson/Pike cos.) Channel catfish, Flathead.catfish

0
Flint Rlver.(Spaldlng/Fayette cos.)
Gum Creek (Crisp Co;) ... .-

Spotted sucker Carp

Shoal.bass Largemouth bass Largemouth bass

Little Rh{~r (above Clarks HIii Lake)

Spotted sucker

Largemouth bass

Ochlockonee River (near Thomasvlll~)

Pcmulgee River (Bibb Co.)

. ....... - . - ., ..... "' ........ ,~.,., '

,. ,

- . ,-

;.,.,.
Ocmulgee River (Pulaski Co.)

Ocmulgee .River (Telfair/WIicox cos.)

Spotted sucker, White catfish

- ... Largemouth bass, Channel &

Black crappie

.- . Flathead catfish . . ., _ . .. , .. -, . . ' -~'

..

...

Largemouth bas~
. ..

Channel catfish

largemouth bass '.

Flathead catfish Largemouth bass

..

!Oconee River (ab~ve Barnett ~hoal,)

Silver redhorse,Largemouth bass

Ogeechee River (Bryan/Burke/ Jefferson/Jenkins/Washington cos.

Channel catfish

Redbreast sunfish Bowfin Spotted sucker, Chain pickerel

Largemouth bass

Ogeechee River (Bulloch Co.)

Largemouth bass

Page 24 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Cha~gc~

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Phoopee River (Hwy 80 to H~ 280)
!

. Spptted sucker Reabreast sunfish

Pkefenokee Swamp (BIiiy's L~ke) '
Postanaula, River

i Patslllga Creek (Taylor Co.)

Plpemaker Canal

i

'

ISatllla River

Bluegill, Spotted bass Redbreast sunfish

Flier Largemouth bass Cliannel catfish Grayfin redhorse, Suckers Largemouth bass Channel catfish

Savannah River (above & below New Savannah Bluff L:ock & Dam) :

Redear sunfish

Spotted sucker . Largemouth bass

Savan~ah River (Chatham/Screven cos.) Channel catfish, Redear sunfish

Largemouth bass

Savan~ah River (Effingham co!) I
Savannah River (Tidal Gate)

Channel catfish Redbreast sunfish
Red drum

White catfish White catfish

Short Creek (Warren Co.)

Sunfish

South River

$_prlng Creek

I

(Seminole/Decatur/MIiier cos) \

Snail & Flat bullhead, Channel catfish, Spotted sucker Redear sunfish Spotted sucker

Largemouth bass White catfish Black crappie, SUver redhorse
Largemouth bass

$t. Marys River (Camden Co.) :
i St. Marys River (Charlton Co.)

Redbreast sunfish

Largemouth bass Redbreast sunfish

$uwanriee River

\

Bullhead, Chain pickerel

Swamp Creek (~edwlne Cove R~ad)

rTalklng Rock Cr~k

I

Redeye bass Redeye bass

~lthlacoochee ftiver

\

Redbreast sunfish

Suwannee bass

Largemouth bass Bowfin
Striped bass s,mallmouth buffalo
Bass Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass, Bowfin
Largemouth bass Largemouth bass Largemouth bass

:::=::coisfiORiVERS&CREEKS :: }i/'NORESTAICTIONS](: iiMEALPERWEEK dMEAilPERMONTH' =)DO'NOiEAT)

~~~.

' I

(Purvis and Gibson creeks) I

~~

Turtle & Buffalo Rivers (upriver of Hwy 303)

Shrimp

Red drum Blue crab, Flounder

. Croaker Spotted seatrout

Black drum,._ Clams, Mussels, uysters

Turtle River (Hwy 303 - Channel Marker 9) ,

Shrimp

Flounder

Red & Black drum Spotted seatrout Croaker, Blue crab

Clams, Mussels Oysters

Turtle River (Channel marker 9 & i
South Brunswick River downstream to Dublgnons & Parsons creeks) \

Shrimp Flounder Red drum

Croaker Blue crab

. Blackdrum Spotted seatrout

Clams, Mussels Oysters

Terry Creek (south of Torras . \ Causeway to Lanier Basin)

Spot, Mullet, Shrimp Croaker, S~tted seatrout Red & Black drum, Blue crab

Yellowtail (Silver perch)

Clams, Mussels Oysters

Terry and Dupree creeks (all of Dupree Creek and Terry Creek north of Torras Causeway to_" mlle west of confluence with the Back River)

No Fishing or Swimming

Due to the disturbance of toxaphene-contaminated sediments in the cleanup process, the Ga. EPD, CAD, and US Environmental Protection Agency recommend that people refrain from fishing and swimming in this area.

For more information on eating fish from Georgia's waters contact:

Environmental Protection Division - (404) 656-4713 ' Coastal Resources Division - (912) 264-7218 , Wildlife.Resources _Division - (770) 918-6418

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www .ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 25

Georgia's Angler Award Program

Catching a big fish is always a thrill gia Dept. of Agric:ulture (at grocery & fisheries biologist or technician. In

and usually requires exceptional fish- convenience stores) in the presence some cases a clear side view photo of

ing skill. Each year DNR recognizes of two witnesses over the age of.18. the fish can be used for identification,

the achievement of anglers that catch Witnesses cannot be members of but you must discuss this with a fish-

''trophy" fish by presenting the angler the immediate family.

eries biologist or technician prior to

with an Angler Award. The fish does not have to be a new state record to qualify. Angler Award applications and minimum weights for species are available at any Fisheries Section office. To qualify you must:

The fish must meet the: minimum .weight requirements for that species.
Take the fish to a DNR Fisheries Office and have it positively identified by a

submitting your application.
Complete an application and submit it with a clear side view photo of the whole fish to the address listed on the form.

Catch your fish by legal sport fishing

Georgia's State Record Fish

methods in Georgia.

Species

Weight Angler

Location

Date

Weigh the fish as soon as possible on . _scales certified accurate by the Geor-

Bass, Hybrid

. 25 lbs. 8 oz.

ere Bass, Larsemouth 22 lbs. 4oz.

Bass, Re

3Ibs. 3 oz.

David Hobby George Perry
Kip Herrin~

Lake Chatuge Montrcomery Lake Tuga oRiver

5/1/95 612132 3'13/90

Bass,Shoa

8Ibs. 3oz. David Hub ard

Flint River

10/23/77

Catching a State Record

Bass, Smallmoutti ?lbs. 2 oz. Jack Hall

Bass, Spotted

8lbs. 0.5 oz. Patrick Bankston

Lake Chatuge Lake Lanier

3/28/73 5/20/85

Ifyou thinkyou, orsomeone you know, has caught a fish on sporting tackle

Bass, Striped Bass, Suwanee Bass, White

63Ibs. 3 lbs. 9oz. 5 lbs. 1 oz.

Kelly Ward Laverne Norton J.M. Hobbins

Oconee River Ochlocknee River . Lake Lanier

5/30/67 10/6/84 6/16/71

that may be a new state record, follow Bowfin

16Ibs.

Charles Conley

Stephen Foster State Park . 5/25/76

these steps:

Bullhead,Brown Carn, Common

5 lbs. 8oz. James Andrews 35 lbs. 12 oz. Donald Clark

O.F. Veal pond Lake Jackson

5/'22[18 1972

Do not clean or freeze .the fish

Ca ish,Blue

62Ibs.

Ralph Barbee Jr. Clarks Hill Reservoir

9/12/79

Catfish, Channel 44 lbs. 12 oz. Bobbb Smithwick Altamaha River

Keep the fish cool, preferably on ice Catfish, Flathead 63Ibs. 8oz. Paul uke

Altamaha River

5/18/72 6/25/98

Weigh the fish as soon as possible

Catfish, White

8Ibs.10oz.

Crappie, Black !tiel ,4 lbs. 4oz.

James Sanders Shirley Lavender

on scales certified accurate to the Crappie, Black tie ,4Ibs. 4oz. Steve Cheek

Savannah River Acree's Lake Lake Spivey

6/10/96 6/1/71 3'75

nearest ounce by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture in the presence of two witnesses who are over the age of

Crappie, White Gar, Longnose Muskellunge Perch, Yellow

5Ibs. 28Ibs. 6oz. 38Ibs. 2 lbs. 8oz.

Theresa Kemp Richard Johnson Rube Golden Charles Poole

Bibb Co. pond Flint River Blue Ridge Lake Lake Burton

4/10/84 1/28/95 6/57 2/23/80

18. Obtain witnesses names, Pickerel, Chain

9Ibs. 6oz. Baxley McQuaig Jr. Homerville

2161

addresses and telephone numbers. Witnesses cannot be members of

Pickerel, Redfin Pike, Northern Sauger

2Ibs.10oz. Gene Brantley 18 lbs. 2oz. Keith Gragg 4 lbs. 3oz. Stuart Bowers

Lewis'pond Lake Rabun Clarks Hill Reservoir

7!7/82 6/27/82 4/5/86

your immediate family. E_stimated Shad, American 8lbs. 3oz. Henry Baxley

Savannah River

4/5/86

weights are not accepted.

Shad, Hickory Sunfish, Bluegill

1lbs.15oz. Mark Bowers 3 lbs. 5oz. P.F. Gumm

Ogeechee River Shamrock Lake

412/95 713177

Take the fish to a DNR Fisheries Office as soon as possible and have it positively identified by a DNR

Sunfish, Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear

1 lb. 4 oz. 1 lb. 1 oz. 1lb. 11 oz. 4Ibs. 2oz.

Curt Brooks Kevin Bryant Emory Walden Pat Lawrence

Lowndes Co. pond Gordon Co. pond Coweta Co. pond Richmond Co. pond

2126196
5/17/98 . 4/16/98 6/6/95

fisheries biologist or technician.

Sunfish, Wannouth 2Ibs.

Carlton Robbins

wvatepond

5/4/74

Complete an application and submit with a clear side view photo of the whole fish within 90 days of the catch.

Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Walleye

5Ibs.10oz. 18 lbs. 2oz. -15Ibs. 11 lbs. 6oz.

Russell Braden William Lowery E.B. Watkins Neal Watson

aters Creek Rock Creek White Co. pond Richard B. Russell Lake

3/29/86 5/6/67 4/18/85
9/11/95

............ ....... ......... ................................ . ;;



: .. Don't release live bait fish or move live fish, aquatic plants, or mussels/



. . ..

Moving live fish, aquatic plants, or mussels from one lake or stream to another is not a good idea. It often results in



unexpected, and often irreversible, changes to the fish population. Examples include: the decline ofthe redbreast sunfish

: and bullhead fishery in the Altamaha River after flathead ,catfish were introduced; fishing for smallmoutli bass in Lake .:

Chatuge, Georgia's best smallmouth lake, ruined after spotted bass were introduced by anglers; and the future of sunfish

: fishing in mountain lakes is threatened, following the intrpduction of blueback herring by anglers.

1

:

:

Make sure you do not contribute to. this growing problem!

:

* Never release live bait fish, aquarium fish, or aquatic plants into our waters.



* Dispose of bait fish after fishing so that they cannot enter a lake, river, or stream.



: * Remove all plant fragments and mussels from your boat, motor, trailer, live well, and nets after taking the boat out ofthe water.

:

* Clean your boat & equipment before leaving the landing & dry for I0-14 days before launching into new waters.



. . .

.

Page 26 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Changes

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Georgia Recreational Saltwater Fishing
SALTWATER FINFISH
Landing Requirements/Transfer Prohibition All saltwater finfish under state or federal regulation must be landed with head and fins intact. Anglers must make c,atches available for inspection by government officials. Saltwaterfinfish subject to size and bag limits cannot be transferred to another person or vessel on the water. Commercial licenses are required to sell recreationally caught finfish.
Gear
A seine may not be used as a gill net (a net constructed of single webbing attached to a float line and lead line and fished in a stationary manner to ensnare or entangle fish in the meshes). A modified castnet or castnet with greater than 8 feet' radius is allowed for taking fish for bait. Only flounder may be taken with a gig (any handheld shaft with single or multiple points, barbed or barbless). All seasons, hours, creel limits. minimum size limits. and other regulations applicable to saltwater finfish apply regardless of the gear used.
Definitions
Minimum Size: the specific size in length below which it is unlawful to take that finfish species. Open Season: that specified period of time during which one may take cer- tain finfish species from any waters of . the state. Daily Creel Limit: the lawful amount of a species of finfish that a person may take in one day. Possession Limit: the lawful amount of a species of finfish that a person can legally have at any one time.

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 27

Species

Saltwater Finfish

Open. Season

Daily Creel Limit

Possession Limit

Minimum Size (in.)

Blue marlin* .................. :...........:. All year ......................... 1 ............................ 1 ............................. 90 LJFL

White marlin* ....................-.......... All year ......................... 1 ............................ 1 ............................. 66 LJFL

Sailfish* ...................................... All year .....:.......;........... 1 ............................ 1 ............:................ 57 LJFL

Tarpon* .........................:............ 3/16-11/30 .................... 1 ............:............... 1 ............................... 40 FL .

Amberjack .................................. 3/16-12/31 .................... 3 ............................ 3 ............................... 28 FL

Cobia .......................................... 3/16-1-1/30 .................... 2 ............................ 2 ............................... 33 FL

Dolphin ....................................... All year ........................ 15 .......................... 15 .............................. 18 FL

King mackerel .... :....................... All year .................. :...... 3 ............................ 3 ............................... 20 FL

Spanish mackerel ........;.............. 3/16-11/30 ................... 10 .......................... 10 ............................,. 12 FL

Sheepshead ............................... All year ........................ 25 .......................... 25 ............................... 8 FL

Atlantic sturgeon ........................ no harvest allowed .....;............... no harvest allowed .................... .

.Bluefish ...................................... 3/16-11 /30 ................... 15 .......................... 15 .............................. 12 FL

Black sea bass ........................... All year .................... No limit .................. No limit ..............:............ 8 TL

Gag grouper .............'.................. All year ......................... 5 ............................. 5 ............................... 20 TL

Red drum ................. :................. All year ........... ~ ............. 5 ............................ 5 ............................... 14 TL



(None longer than 27 in.)

Black drum ................................. All year ........................ 15 .......................... 15 ............................... 10 TL Weakfish ........................ :: ........... All year ......................... 6 ............................ 6 ............................... 13 TL Flounder ........................'. ............. All year ........ ,............. :.15 ........................... 15 ............................... 12TL Whiting .. .'..........................:........... All year ........................ 35 .......................... 35 ............................... 10 TL Spot ............................................ All year ........................ 25 .:....... :............ ,... 25 ................................ 8 TL Atlantic croaker .......................... All year ........................ 25 .......................... 25 ................................ 8 TL Tripletail ...................................... All year ......................... 5 ............................ 5 ............................... 18 TL Red snapper ............................... All year ......................... 2 ............................ 2 ............................... 20 TL Spotted seatrout ......................... All year ................ :....... 15 .......................... 15 .............................., 13 TL Striped bassa .................................................... All year ......................;.. 2 ............................ 2 ............................... 22 TL Sand tiger shark ......................... no harvest allowed ..................... no harvest allowed ..................... Small shark composite* ............. All year ......................... 2 .................... ..-:... ,. 2 ............................... 30 TL Sharks*** .................................... All year ...................... 2**** ...................... 2**** ............................. 48 TL
{limit may include only one longer than 84 in.)

* Gamefish or no sal~ status ** Consists of Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, & spiny dogfish

*** Consists of all sharks other than sand tiger shark & small shark composite

**** Two per person or boat, whichever is less



.

FL= fork length TL= total length. For billfishes, LJFL = from the tip of the lower jaw to fork of tail.

a = See Seasons Closure in Savannah River page 4.

Measuring Saltwater Finfish

Total Length

Fork Length

Minimum sizes for saltwater finfish are measured in three ways: Total Length (TL) is the overall length of the fish and is measured in the same

manner as a largemouth bass; Fork fork of the tail; Lower-Jaw Fork Length Length (FL) is used to measure fish (LJFL) applies to billfish, such as marwith deeply forked tails and is the Iins, and is the distance from the tip of distance from the tip of the snoutto the the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.

Page 28 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Changes

Wildlife.Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Shrimp

.

Baiting Shrirrtp

shrimping season for seines is the Castnet Construction

It is unlawful to place, deposit, distrib- same as that established for other Castnets used recreationally to take

ute, or scatter any bait of ~ny kind in, food shrimping season. The Commis- food shrimp are restricted to a maxi-

on, or over any waters so: as to lure, sioner of ON R can open the food mum net size of eight feet in radius with

attract, or entice shrimp toward the shrimping season from May 15 through a minimum 1/2 inch bar-mesh webbing

bait or to cause shrimp to congregate the end of February. During the open. and shall be constructed of uniform

in the area where bait is placed. It is season, seines may be used at any material from horn (thimble) to the lead

illegal to knowingly fish for shrimp in time of day in authorized areas.

line. All modifications, including duct

baited waters.



Seine Sizes & Areas

tape, lawnchair webbing, and bubble

Disposition and Sale

Seines equal to or smaller than 12 feet wrap are prohibited. The lead line must

of Shrimp i

long, with a maximum depth of four have a minimum of 3/4 pound of weight

It is unlawful for any persoi;i to sell or feet, and a maximum stretch mesh of per radius-foot attached.

otherwise dispose of, for human con- 1 inch may be used throughout the Food Shrimp Catch Limits

sumption, any shrimp taken as bait. year and throughout Georgia's salt- No person taking shrimp for personal

Shrimp recreationally harvested for waters. Seines up to 100 feet long and consumption with a castnet may pos-

personal consumption may hot be sold.
I
SPORT BAIT SHRIMPING with . POWER-DRAWN NETS A Georgia Fishing license is required for taking shrimp for live \bait with power-drawn nets 1Ofeet or smaller. Information on the specific n~t dimensions is available from DNR'.offices in Brunswick and Demeries Creek. Areas, Seasons, and HoI urs A 10 foot sport bait trawl max be used to take shrimp only in rivers and creeks or portions thereof which have been opened to bait shrimping ~y DNA. Charts of established "Bait Zones" are available at DNA officesiin Brunswick and Demeries Creek (Ri,chmond Hill). Unless otherwise designated, bait zones are open year-r~und for sport bait shrimping. Sport bait shrimping is legal only between the hour~ of 1/2 hour before official sunri~e to 1/2 hour after official sunset. \
Catch Limits - Sport Bait T'rawls A sport bait shrimper may riot possess at any time more than \two (2) quarts of shrimp, no more than 1/2 pint of which may be dead, ahd may not take more than four (4) quarts of shrimp within a 24-hour period. When two or more persons occupy the same boat, there may be no more than four (4) quarts of shrimp on board the boat at any time, no more than one pint of which may be dead, and no more than eight quarts of shrimp may be taken within a 24-hour period.

with a minimum stretch mesh of 1 1/4 sess more than 48 quarts of heads-on

inches may be used on sand beaches shrimp or 30 quarts of shrimp tails in

of any barrier island in Georgia. Seines any day. When one or more persons

from 100-300 feet long and with a occupy the same boat, there may be

minimum mesh size of 2 1/2 inches no more then 48 quarts of heads~on

may be used only on the ocean-front shrimp or 30 quarts of shrimp tails on

sides of beaches. The use of seines board at any time. No vessel owner

over 12 feet long in any inlets or tidal shall allow the vessel to be used to

sloughs is prohibited. Seines over 300 take more than the allowable catch

feet long are also prohibited. It is un- limits in any day.

lawful to use any seine in saltwaters

CASTNETTING

suchthatitblocksmorethan 1/2ofthe

FOR BAIT SHRIMP

entrance of any tidal river, creek, A Georgia Fishing license is required

slough, or inlet to the ocean.

to use castnets non-commercially to

Seine Catch Limits

take shrimp for bait. There is no closed

No one person taking shrimp solely by season for castnetting for bait. Cast-

means of a seine, whether such per- netting for bait may be conducted at

son is acting alone or in a group of any time of day in all of Georgia's

persons, may possess more than 24 saltwaters.

quarts of shrimp with heads on or 15 Castnet Construction

quarts of tails taken by such seine in Bait shrimp castnets must be construct-

any 24-hour period. If any person or, group of persons occupying the same

ed of a minimum of 318 inch mesh webbing with a radius not greater than

boat are in possession of a castnet eight feet. Modifications are prohibited

and a seine, such person or persons in castnets intended for taking bait

shall be subject to the limits imposed shrimp. Bait shrimp castnets cannot be

for shrimp taken by castnet.

used to take shrimp for personal con-

CASTNETTING FOR FOOD SHRIMP

sumption. Castnets constructed to take shrimp for personal consumption may

A Georgia Fishing license is required be used to take bait. However, at no,,

to use castnets non-commercially to time shall there be both a bait shrimp

take shrimp for personal consump- castnet and a food shrimp castnet

tion. The season for castnetting for aboard the same vessel.

food shrimp is the same as that estab- Bait Shrimp Castnet Limits

Iished for other commercial shrimping ,Recreational castnetters collecting

seasons. The Commissioner of DNA bait shrimp are limited to two quarts

can open the season from May 15 per person at any time, provided that

through the end of February. During person may take a maximum of four

SEINES

the open season, castnetting for per- quarts of bait shrimp per day. When

A Georgia Fishing license is required sonal consumption .may be conduct- two or more persons occupy the same

to use a seine for non-commercial ed at any time of day in all the state's boat, there may be no more than four

purposes in the state's saltwaters. The saltwaters.

quarts of bait on board the boat at any

19992000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www .ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 29

time, and the persons occupying the spike across the back (other than a harvest recreational quantities of shell

boat may take no more than eight "peeler" or a "mature adult female" fish or to issue permission to others:

quarts of bait shrimp per day. Bait crab). Peelers must measure at least must notify and provide DNR with spe~:

shrimp taken with a castnet may be 3 inches from spike to spike across cific information. It is unlawful to give

live or dead.

the back.

permission to take shellfish from a

CRABS

Otherthan licensed commercial crabbers, closed area. Harvesters taking shell7

A GeorgIa F'Ish'mg 1I cense Is required . no person may take or possess more than to harvest crabs for non-commercial one bushel of crabs during any 24-hour

fish from private property must have on their person proof of ownersh!P or

purposes. Unless otherwise designat- period. No more than two bushels may be permission.

ed, saltwaters are open year-round taken recreationally or possessed dur- Shellfish Limits

for recreational crabbing. Recreation- ing a 24-hour period on a boat with Oysters must measure no less than

ally caught crabs may not be sold. more than one person aboa'rd.

three inches from hinge to mouth, un-

Gear
Up to six standard size crab traps (2X2 feet or smaller) may be used recre-
ationally. Two unobstructed escape-

SHELLFISH
A Georgia Fishing lic~nse is required to take shellfish (oysters, clams) for
non-commercial purposes. Saltwaters

less the oyster cannot be removed from a legal-sized 0Yster with0ut de- stroying it. For clams, the maximum depth from one shell half to the other must be at least one inch thick. Recrea

ment rings (2 3/8 inch inside diameter) may be opened for taking oysters or ational quantity limits are up to two

must be installed on an outside vertical waII. Each trap must be marked wi.th a

clams between January 1 and December 31. Shellfish must be harvest-

cblua~mhselpseorfpoeyrssotenrspearnddaoy,newitbhusahmeIaxo-f

float bearing the owner's name and ed between the hours of 1/2 hour imum limit of six bushels of oysters and

address. Traps .should be sufficiently weighted to prevent loss in strong tidal

before official sunrise and 1/2 hour afteroff1c1al sunset. Sh.ellf1sh may only

one

b us h e I

O f

cIams

per

b oat

per

d ay..

currents. It is unlawful to place or set be taken with handheld implements. REPORTING VIOLATIONS

crab traps in the channel of any stream Recreationally harvested shellfish may To report violations, contact DNR Law

h wit

a

I f II aw u Y

establ'ished

system

O f

not be sold.

waterway markers. Disposal of crab Areas

Enforcement offices in Brunswick (912) 264-7237 or call the Toll-Free
24-hour Hot Line 800-241-4113. To

traps in public waters is a violation of Updated charts of approved public report violations in federal waters

State and Federal laws.

picking areas for shellfish should be contact United States Coast Guard

Subject to specific gear design criteria, obtained from Coastal Resources Di- stations in Brunswick (912) 26'?'.r7999 sizes, time-of-day, and area restric- vision's Ecological Services Section. and Tybee Island (912) .786-5440,

tions outlined in these regulations, le- It is illegal to recreationally harvest NOAA's toll-free, 24-hour Fisheries

gal crabs may be taken recreationally shellfish except in designated public Enforcement hotline 800-853-1964,

year-round in seines and castnets. picking areas, unless authorized in or DNR LE 800-241-4113.

Crab Catch Limits

writing by a private property owner

It is unlawful to take or possess any with legal harvest rights to an area. crab less than 5 inches from spike to Private property owners wishing to

Sea Turtles

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It is unlawful to harm, harass, or disturb any sea turtle adult, hatchling, eggs, nest, carcass, or skeletal remains under both State and Federal law. It is also unlawful to offer for sale, sell, or possess any sea turtle, or sea turtle parts. If any accidental capture occurs, release immediately either by direct release or by cutting any hook and line. as close to the turtle as possible. Report any dead or injured sea turtle to the Georgia DNA, Nongame/ Natural Heritage Section, Endangered Wildlife Program 800-2-SAVE-ME,

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Marine Mammals
It is unlawful for any person to display, feed, net, trap, harpoon, molest or otherwise interfere with the well-being or normal activity of marine mammals including bottle-nose & spotted dolphin, manatee, and any species of whale. Report sightings of deador injured marine mammals to 800-241-4113.

Page 30 1-888-748-6887 for licenses

Recent Law Changes

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Georgia's State Record Saltwater Fish

I

Species

Weight

, Angler

Location

Date

I

Amberjack .................... 92~bs, 1oz .................... Ben Key, Jr.........................,.. J Reef ..................................................... 6/75

Barracuda ..................... 46lbs, 8oz .................... Roger Clark ........................... Savannah Snapper Banks ..................... 7/93

Black Sea Bass ............. 51~s, 11oz .................... J.C. Hadden, Jr. .................... Navy Tower R2 .................................... 4/94

Bluefish ........................ 1?tbs, 12oz .................. Gary Altman:: G Reef ................................................... 4/80

Cobia ...........:................ 881bs, 12oz .................. Jeff Clark ........"i............'...... A Buoy ........:......................................... 5/85

Croaker ......................... 5l~s, 12oz .................... David Flynt .......:................... Lanier Bridge ......................................... 3/77

Dolphinfish .................. 671,bs, 6oz .................... Michael Sheppard ...::............ East of Navy Tower R8 ....,.................... 5/97

Drum, Black ................. 86lps, 8oz .................... Timothy Belcher ............:...... Cumberland Sound .................:.............. 4/98

Drum, Red .................... 47l~s, 7oz .................... Richard Price ......................... KC Reef ............................................... 11/86

Flounder ....................... 15lbs, l 0oz .................. Janice Youmans .................... Jekyll Pier ............................................ 11/90

Grouper, Gag ................ 34lbs, 8oz .................... Mike Parmalee ...................... 67mi E of St. Simons Is ...............:......... 4/86

Jack Crevalle ................ 36lbs ........................... Byron Williams ..................... Wassaw Sound .......................,.............. 6/96

Ladyfish ....................... 5lb~ ............................. Marjorie Nighbert ................. Cumberland Island ................................ 8/78

Mackerel, King ............ 63lbs, 8oz .................... Hal Waters, Jr........................ Brunswick Snapper Banks ..................... 8/90

Mackerel, Spanish ........ 8lb~, 4oz ...................... James Geiger ......................... 5mi E of Buoy YS ................................. 5/91

Marlin, Blue ................. 49 llbs, 8oz .................. John Howard, k ....... ...:.. ...... Gulfstream, off Brunswick .................... 6/85

Marlin, White ............... 49lbs, 12oz .................. Thomas Hester ..........,........... Gulfstream east of St. Catherines .......... 6/86

Striped Mullet .............. 91bs1, 3oz ...................... Steve Middleton .................... Darien River ........................................ 12/94

Florida Pompano .......... 4lbs( 15oz .................... Gary Altman .....,..............:..... Christmas Creek .................................. 11/98

Sailfish ......................... 65Ib's ........................... Vann Downs ..,....................... NOAA Buoy .......................................... 6/81

Scamp ........................... 26Ib~ ........................... Wayne Hall ........................... East of R2 Tower .....................:........... 11/95

Spotted Seatrout ........... 91bsJ 7oz ...................... Tommy Hall ........'.................. Christmas Creek .................................... 7/76

Shark, Black Tip .......... 13 llps ......................... Albert Boyd .....................:..... Wassaw Channel ........................,.......... 5/78

Shark, Bull ....... ,........... 4551~s ,........................ Mark Noble ........................... STS Buoy ..........:............:...................... 7/78

Shark, Dusky ................ 2721~s, 8oz .................. Bill Hunter ............................ STS Buoy ...:........................................ 10/78

Shark, Hammerhead ..... 770l~s ......................... Charlie Marshall .................... Little Cumberland ................................. 8/73

Shark, Lemon ............... 3751bs ......................... Thomas Winslow .................. St. Andrew Sound ................................. 7/74

Shark, Mako ................. 2281bs, 8oz .................. Harry Woolley ....................... Off Savannah ......................................... 5/75

Shark, Nurse ................. 2441bs ......................... Bill Watson .....................:..... Sapelo Channel ............................:......... 8/81

Shark, Sandbar ............. 1581bs, 8oz .................. Chet Lee Kirby ..............:....... Jekyll Pier .............................................. 4/79

Shark, Sand Tiger ......... 290l~s ......................... Billy Castle ........................... Ossabaw Island ...................................... 5/77

Shark, Thresher ............ I 161lis ......................... Mark Noble ........................... C Reef .................................................... 3/76

Shark, Tiger .................. 794lbr ......................... Chuck Hall .............,.............. STS Buoy .............................................. 9/75

Sheepshead ................... 131bs, 8oz .................... John Cavuoto ......................... KC Reef ................................................. 4/94

Red Snapper ................: 37Ibs! 8oz .................... Bill Shearin, Jr. ..................... Savannah Snapper Banks ...................... 9/88

.Snook ........................... l Olbs,l 2oz .................... Lester Rooks ......................... Kings Creek ........................................... 3/90

Spadefish ...................... l llbs,112oz .................. Ken Murray ........................... G Reef ................................................... 5/81

Swordfish ..................... 86Ibs ........................... W.H. Lippitt .......................... Gulfstream, E. of Savannah, 5/80

Tarpon .......................... 16llbs .......:................. Christopher Edwards ............. Buttermilk Sound .................................. 7/95
Little Tunny ................. 20lbs l.......................... Sister Mary Clarice ...............' East of St. Catherines ............................ 7/73

Triggerfish ..............,..... I libs, \5oz .................... Elizabeth Zeagler .................. Sayannah Snapper Banks .................... 11/87

Tripletail ....................... 281bs, roz .................... Jeff Anderson ........................ S. Brunswick River ...... :........................ 7/93

Tuna, Blackfin .............. 29lbs, 8oz .................... Alex Grindler ........................ Gray's Reef ........................................... 5/94

Tuna, Yellowfin ..,........ 2491bs( 2oz .................. Ken Cooper ........................... Gulfstream ............................................. 5/80

Wahoo .......................... 1061bs\ 8oz ................:. Carl Holton ............................ ESE of R2W Tower ............................... 5/96

Weakfish ...................... 6lbs, 89z ...................... Frank Taylor .......................... Troupe Creek ......................................... 3/76

Whiting .................... :... 2lbs, qoz ..................,. Harold Guinn ......................... Mackay River ........................................ 2/75

For more information on Saltwater Gamefish Records contact the Coastal Resources Division. I

Join America's leading cold-water conservation organization. Meet new friends who share your love for fishing, and concerns for our fisheries resources. Attend monthly meetings and receive newsletters from the chapter closest to where you work or live. Become involved in Trout Unlimited activist network. Assist with trout habitat restoration projects, handicapped access projects, Kid~s Fishing Days~ and more.
For more information call
706/234-5310 or 703/522-0200. on-line www.tu.org

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Changes

www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 31

Boating

Outboard Motor Restrictions:

No motor in excess of 9.9 hp may be

operated on the Ogeechee River

upstream of State Hwy 119.

No motor in excess of 25 hp may be

operated on Lake Julliette.



All b_oats that carry any means of

mechanical propulsion and all sailboats

12 feet and longer must be registered.

A Boat Registration Application can be

obtained from any office of the Wildlife

Resources Division, or from most

marine dealers and marinas or -by

writing to: Georgia Department of

Natural Resources, License & Boat

Registration Unit, 2189 Northlake

Parkway, Building 1O, Suite 108,

Tucker, Georgia 30084 or from the

internet, www.ganet.org/dnr/wild/

All vessels must be equipped with wear-

able personal flotation devices (PFD)

for each person aboard. PFDs must be

readily accessible to all occupants, in

good and serviceable condition, legi-

bly marked with the US Coast Guard

approved number, and of appropriate

size for the occupants. Also, one Type

IV throwable device must be on board.

. Models are available for all ages and To learn more about requirements for.

boating activities.

operating your boat obtain "Georgia

Children under age 1Omust wear an appropriately sized PFD when the vessel is under

Safe Boating Guide" from any WRD Law Enforcement Office. (page 3)

way, unless the child is within a fully en- To learn about a boating safety course

closed, roofed cabin.

contact any WRD Law. Enforcement

PFDs must be worn by each person Office. (page 3)

aboard when operating a vessel in an

area marked as "hazardous area". All vessels cannot be operated over

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

idle speed within 100 feet of any moored If you have questions or comments

or anchored vessel, vessel adrift, or regarding fishing laws or regulations, or

any wharf, pier, piling, or persons in the any other fisheries matter, please contact

water, or shoreline next to a fulHime or the fisheries office nearest you.

part-time residence, public park, public Telephone numbers on page16.

beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area.
Georgia honors all other states' registrations, provided the boat is not used in excess of 60 consecutive days.
Almost one-half of the boating accidents in Georgia are caused by collision with another boat or an object. Practically all boating accidents occur because of carelessness, inexperience or ignorance of safe boating practices.
Booze and boats do not mix! It is unlawful to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

FRESHWATER
Northwest Region Wildlife Resources Division
312 N. River St., N.W. Post Office Box 519 Calhoun, Georgia 30703-0519
Northeast Region Wildlife Resources Division
2150 Dawsonville Hwy. . Gainesville, Georgia 30501
East Central Region Wildlife Resources Division 2123 U.S. Hwy. 278, S.E.. Social Circle, Georgia 30025.

West Central Region Wildlife Resources Division 1014 Martin Luther King Blvd: Fort Valley, Georgia 31030-6246

Southwest Region Wildlife Resources Division
2024 Newton Road Albany, Georgia 31701~3576

4135 Hwy 20 Buford, GA
770-831-8488

"Best Boats~ Best Prices"
~LARSON,~,-~----r,i---r.~~----,
~sul&alC -~,fiber

~~AST.

!.C:qbr.a FISHMASTER BAY BOAT



EV/ffRUDE.

South Central Region Wildlife Resources Division
Post Office Box 2089 Waycross, Georgia 31502~2089
Coastal Region Wildlife Resources Division
22814 Highway 144 _Richmond Hill, Ge_orgia 31324

SALTWATER Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, Georgia 31_520-8687 .

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources receives

Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration funds.

Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504

ofthe Rehabilitation Act of1973, the Age Discrimination

Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments

of 1972, ihe U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits

discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin,

age, sex, or handicap. If you believe that you have been

dicriminated against in any program, activity, orfacility

as described above, or if you desire further information,

please write to: The Office for Human Resources,

U.S. Fish and WIidiife _Service, U.S. Departmenfof

the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240".



Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Deflating Your Fish

Many marin~ reef fish haJe gas-filled 1
.organs called swim bladders. These organs control buoyancy!1 and allow

the fish to maintain a certain depth in

the water column.

\

Swim Bladder

\ .

-::._~ -~i .
When some fish are brought quickly to the surface, the gas in the swim bladder can over-expand ~nd rupture the bladder. Escaping gas fills the gut cavity. If released in this bubyant condition, the fish cannot deJcend and may float away and die. Swjm bladder over-expansion can caus'e averted stomachs or intestines, as\ show be-

Everted Stomach

Distended Intestines

low, but these may look worse than

they really are.



wise through the rod to allow gas to pass from the needle through the rod . Hold the fish gently on its side. Insert the needle through the thin lower body wall below the rear end of the pectoral fin. Insert the needle only as far as needed to allow the gas to escape. Squeeze gently to help pusli t~e gas out.
Underneath. a Scale

If a fish is unable to submerge,, be

prepared to ventthe fish's gutcavity and

getthe fish back into the water as quick-

ly as possible. Venting helps the gas

escape, allows the fish tq descend, and improves survival.
Usewet gloves to handle the fish and have a deflating tool on hand. A simple

Do nottry to push the stomach back into the throat. Revive the fish in the water and release it when it can swim upright

deflating tool can be made by mounting

a sharpened football needle in a 1"x3"

dowel rod. A center hole is drilled length- .

I

.

STOCKING FISH

Don't release live bait fi~h! Please dispose of bait fish such as blueback

herring, shad & golden !shiners so th~y cannot enter a stream,. pond, or

lake.

I



It is unlawful to release any wildlife, including fish or exotic fish, within

this state except undeq~ermitfrom the Department of Natural Resources.

This does not apply td the stocking of lawfully obtained fish of legal

species into private ponds.

It is unlawful to move fi~hfrom one body of water to another.

i .

.

COMMERCIAL FISHING

I

.

. .

.

For information concerning freshwater commercial fishing, contactthe nearest

Fisheries Section office (page 16). For information concerning saltwater.

commercial fishing, contaqt the Coastal Resources Division (page 3).

Kids and fishing just naturally go tog~ther! Many children today have not learned how to fish .. Sponsoring a fishing event is a great way to introduce children to the wholesome sport of fishing.
Kids fishing event sponsors are nee.ded throughout Georgia. Give the childr~n in your community a gift that will last a lifetime! To find .out how you or your organization can sponsor a Kids Fishing Event, call the nearest Fisheries Office.

Deflated Stomach Florida Sea Grant, 1995 .

BE.AN ETHICAL.ANGLER

Ethical anglers fish responsibly and consider the rights of others. They .portray a positive image and help protect and conserve our natural resources.- . Be: an ethical angler; the .future of fishing depends on it.

Ethical anglers:

know and obey the fishing

regulations.



report violations and pollution ..

keep only the fish they can use and

release all others properly so they

will survive. Some fish species are

threatened or endangered.

don'ttransferfish or plants between

bo'dies ohyater, Non-native species

can adversly affect existing

a populations.
pass on the tradition by taking

child fishing. . . .



appreciate the environment by not

littering, dispose of fishing line

properly, and leave a place cleaner

than they found it.

.

show courtesy to others, lend a

helping hand whenever possible

arid always -ask permission before

fishing. on private property.

1999-2000 Sport Fishing Regulations

Recent Law Ch,inges

www .ganet.org/dnr/wild/

Page 33 ,

GEORGIA OUTDOOR GUIDES AND SERVICES DIRECTORY

BOATS

GUIDES/ OUTFITTERS

FISHING EQUIPMENT

Broadway Bait & Tackle, Rod &-Reel

. DOCKS

DOCK SUPPLY

O. lJ.TD.~:OOR. CONSTRUCT. I.ON

' ,. '"'.;PRODUCTS

'-".. '. .

1.~s..'o o/ -2-1-,\. 9"'.ssss

FISHING TACKLE

FISH STOCKING

. Game Fish

. ~-A UPPER-:1-il FLY

Fish for Pond Stocking and Weed Control

/> ,

, _FISHING II.. OUTFITTIRS

Coppemose Bluegill , , Largemouth Bass ,. . , , .' .. HIAW~SSEE RIER TROUT. L~DGE

Sterile Grass Carp

Shellcracker '. --.'.

, , TROPHY TROUT'&. GUIDE SERVICE

Channel Cats

Striped Bass Hybrids-

. ,.,, , "Hl''''A,,, .. .E,.E..GEORG'i'A.. .

Redbreast

Hybrid Bluegill

To order call. SOUTHLAND FISHERIES CORP.

ORvise .. ~,,... 55 706-8?.~-9075

600 Old Bluff Road Hopkins,. SC_ 2960,1 . . (803) n6-4923 ,, , ; . ( . .

: ,......_ ,._IZE_ DDE_ ALE_w_w..:..w....,.,.u....p,_p"'--e-..r..,..h...l..-...f.-ly=.c--o-m___,

FISHING CAMPS

WOODS-N-WATER

HOOKED FOR LIFE, INC. Fishing Training Camp for Boys 10 and up. Info

LUNKER LAKES i'n Catchtrophy'Ba~s 0~er 30

and Reservations, Call Chris Luther PRIVATE Lakes in_ South Georgia;

770-806-1794.

Guided Trips with Boats,

Jack Wingate's
LUNKER LODGE
Superbfishing for Largemough Bass,

Fishing Tackle & Bait

Reasonable Rates!_

N.O

C

A

T

C .

H

.

-

N

O '

CHARGE

White Bass, Stripers and Hybrids
Guides Motel Lake Shore Cainpgrouund
Not" M"ri,w. Not" Resort. Just a Fish Camp!
(912) 246-0658 Fax (921) 246-5518
IJ9 Wingate Road, Hwy 97 S. Bainbridge, Ga 31717

Wrightsville, - ,~ .t f

311 North Marcus St.

V.~OODS

.. \\!ATE~, (:1ei)g~;;._1~g8

FISHING VEHICLES
.EUROTRUCK IMPORTERS - : . _ ~ii- Sales of.Swiss Anny Surplus:
Mercedes-Benz Unimogs @ . . @,. Steyr-Puch Pinzgauers . P.O. Box 18 l(}"flowety Branch, GA 30542 770-540-4456 / www.eurotruck-importers.com
Southeast Adventure: See ad under "Guides/Outfitters".
MARINAS
Little River Marina , antl 1amil1J Resorl
PAMELA BUGG 4271 Old Lincolnton Rd. Appling, GA 30802 706-541-1358 Cabins/Camping Tackle/live Bait Gulde Service Restaurant Wet/Dry Boat Storage Jet Ski/Boat Rental

~- LOWRANCE
#DIATll.

S-P-+D--R-W-1-R-'

Page. 34 1-888-748-6887 for Iicenses

P~tt,~~Ma'IIM.'

YOUR.MERCURY - FORCE. MERCRUISER DEALER
. 'HI PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST

Bumble Bee Bullet Sylvan Procraft Triton

Steve & Edna Kyle

PH: (706) 492-2817 FAX: (706) 492-3100

3221 Blue Ridge Dr Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

~~..

.. ,

.'.

f'"~ ....


,. ' . '\:',

' '

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! ,



.-,..,",:,,,",,::.:.,.~--.:9tll. ..



I

~ear

up

at

Galyan's .

. G yan's carries all the latest tackle and hottest lures you'll ever need.

We have...

1oa1wa !
I

~

;'.
~ LOWRANCE

I
LOH>Omisr S~lmAnO

I -
HIUMMINB.IRD.

~ . .

1GALYAN'S

Town Center Commons 691 Barrett Parkway NW (770)281-0200 Lenox Courtyard 3535 Peachtree Road open in August 1999 . Mall of Georgia 3379 Burford Drive open in August 1999

.HVi;' ,)

.----------------------.....----------------------"'1.t{.' ;'.t, . i

Black Drum (young)

She~pshead

lacks black patch"\..

indistinct dark freckles on upper body
King Mackerel

black pa.

djstinct dark spots on upper bqdy
Spa~ish Mack~re~

.dull gold spots in small fish
Atlantic Sharpnose
scattered white spots on body

averages 2-4 lbs.

b~ight gold spot~ .

smooth-edged' ~ curved ~eeth
tooth
of underside head

up to 48" TL. -